K. Copter's Xanathar's Guide to Everything

u U A */ < o io uw$ «1 41/U )* birA ^ t^ ?4 L -A j ^lo|qv\\ iw\\ <fi^ ti( A1 J \\qv* SORCEROUS ORIGINS ^ fl ^ctrUi-trqr . \" /ur* il/\\°u.(.A b u/ IWNCS l4 At 1st level, a sorcerer gains the Sorcerous Origin fea- the outcome. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it ture. The following options are available to a sorcerer, in addition to those offered in the Players Handbook: again until you finish a short or long rest. Divine Soul, Shadow Magic, and Storm Sorcery. EMPOWERED HEALING DIVINE SOUL Starting at 6th level, the divine energy coursing through Sometimes the spark of magic that fuels a sorcerer comes from a divine source that glimmers within the you can empower healing spells. Whenever you or soul. Having such a blessed soul is a sign that your innate magic might come from a distant but powerful fa- an ally within 5 feet of you rolls dice to determine the milial connection to a divine being. Perhaps your ances- number of hit points a spell restores, you can spend 1 tor was an angel, transformed into a mortal and sent to sorcery point to reroll any number of those dice once, fight in a god’s name. Or your birth might align with an ancient prophecy, marking you as a servant of the gods provided you aren’t incapacitated. You can use this fea- or a chosen vessel of divine magic. ture only once per turn. A Divine Soul, with a natural magnetism, is seen as a OTHERWORLDLY WINGS threat by some religious hierarchies. As an outsider who Starting at 14th level, you can use a bonus action to commands sacred power, a Divine Soul can undermine an existing order by claiming a direct tie to the divine. manifest a pair of spectral wings from your back. While the wings are present, you have a flying speed of 30 feet. In some cultures, only those who can claim the power The wings last until you’re incapacitated, you die, or you of a Divine Soul may command religious power. In dismiss them as a bonus action. these lands, ecclesiastical positions are dominated by a The affinity you chose for your Divine Magic feature few bloodlines and preserved over generations. determines the appearance of the spectral wings: eagle wings for good or law, bat wings for evil or chaos, and DIVINE SOUL FEATURES dragonfly wings for neutrality. Sorcerer Level Feature 1st Divine Magic, Favored by the Gods UNEARTHLY RECOVERY 6th Empowered Healing At 18th level, you gain the ability to overcome grievous 14th Otherworldly Wings injuries. As a bonus action when you have fewer than 18th Unearthly Recovery half of your hit points remaining, you can regain a num- DIVINE MAGIC ber of hit points equal to half your hit point maximum. Your link to the divine allows you to learn spells from Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until the cleric class. When your Spellcasting feature lets you you finish a long rest. learn or replace a sorcerer cantrip or a sorcerer spell of SHADOW MAGIC 1st level or higher, you can choose the new spell from You are a creature of shadow, for your innate magic the cleric spell list or the sorcerer spell list. You must comes from the Shadowfell itself. You might trace your otherwise obey all the restrictions for selecting the lineage to an entity from that place, or perhaps you were spell, and it becomes a sorcerer spell for you. exposed to its fell energy and transformed by it. In addition, choose an affinity for the source of your The power of shadow magic casts a strange pall over divine power: good, evil, law, chaos, or neutrality. You your physical presence. The spark of life that sustains you is muffled, as if it struggles to remain viable against learn an additional spell based on that affinity, as shown the dark energy that imbues your soul. At your option, below. It is a sorcerer spell for you, but it doesn’t count against your number of sorcerer spells known. If you you can pick from or roll on the Shadow Sorcerer later replace this spell, you must replace it with a spell Quirks table to create a quirk for your character. from the cleric spell list. SHADOW SORCERER QUIRKS Affinity Spell d6 Quirk Good cure wounds 1 You are always icy cold to the touch. Evil inflict wounds 2 When you are asleep, you don’t appear to breathe Law bless Chaos bane (though you must still breathe to survive). Neutrality protection from evil and good 3 You barely bleed, even when badly injured. 4 Your heart beats once per minute. This event FAVORED BY THE GODS Starting at 1st level, divine power guards your destiny. sometimes surprises you. If you fail a saving throw or miss with an attack roll, you 5 You have trouble remembering that living creatures can roll 2d4 and add it to the total, possibly changing and corpses should be treated differently. 6 You blinked. Once. Last week. CHAPTER 1 I CHARACTER OPTIONS

SHADOW MAGIC FEATURES Sorcerer Feature Level Eyes of the Dark, Strength of the Grave Eyes of the Dark (darkness) 1st Hound of III Omen 3 rd Shadow Walk 6th Umbral Form 14th 18th EYES OF THE DARK but only against its target. Additionally, while the hound Starting at 1st level, you have darkvision with a range is within 5 feet of the target, the target has disadvantage of 120 feet. on saving throws against any spell you cast. The hound When you reach 3rd level in this class, you learn disappears if it is reduced to 0 hit points, if its target is the darkness spell, which doesn’t count against your number of sorcerer spells known. In addition, you can reduced to 0 hit points, or after 5 minutes. cast it by spending 2 sorcery points or by expending a spell slot. If you cast it with sorcery points, you can see SHADOW WALK through the darkness created by the spell. At 14th level, you gain the ability to step from one STRENGTH OF THE GRAVE shadow into another. When you are in dim light or dark- Starting at 1st level, your existence in a twilight state be- ness, as a bonus action, you can magically teleport up to tween life and death makes you difficult to defeat. When 120 feet to an unoccupied space you can see that is also damage reduces you to 0 hit points, you can make a Charisma saving throw (DC 5 + the damage taken). On in dim light or darkness. a success, you instead drop to 1 hit point. You can’t use UMBRAL FORM this feature if you are reduced to 0 hit points by radiant Starting at 18th level, you can spend 6 sorcery points damage or by a critical hit. as a bonus action to magically transform yourself into a shadowy form. In this form, you have resistance to After the saving throw succeeds, you can’t use this all damage except force and radiant damage, and you can move through other creatures and objects as if they feature again until you finish a long rest. were difficult terrain. You take 5 force damage if you end HOUND OF III OMEN your turn inside an object. At 6th level, you gain the ability to call forth a howling You remain in this form for 1 minute. It ends early if creature of darkness to harass your foes. As a bonus you are incapacitated, if you die, or if you dismiss it as a action, you can spend 3 sorcery points to magically bonus action. summon a hound of ill omen to target one creature you STORM SORCERY can see within 120 feet of you. The hound uses the dire Your innate magic comes from the power of elemental wolf’s statistics (see the Monster Manual or appendix C air. Many with this power can trace their magic back to in the Player's Handbook), with the following changes: a near-death experience caused by the Great Rain, but perhaps you were born during a howling gale so power- • The hound is size Medium, not Large, and it counts as ful that folk still tell stories of it, or your lineage might a monstrosity, not a beast. include the influence of potent air creatures such as • It appears with a number of temporary hit points djinn. Whatever the case, the magic of the storm perme- equal to half your sorcerer level. ates your being. • It can move through other creatures and objects as CHAPTER 1 | CHARACTER OPTIONS if they were difficult terrain. The hound takes 5 force damage if it ends its turn inside an object. • At the start of its turn, the hound automatically knows its target’s location. If the target was hidden, it is no longer hidden from the hound. The hound appears in an unoccupied space of your choice within 30 feet of the target. Roll initiative for the hound. On its turn, it can move only toward its target by the most direct route, and it can use its action only to at- tack its target. The hound can make opportunity attacks, 1 l5 1 it} KU‘i / l , Ocj uj J l tl/n^U it i

Storm sorcerers are invaluable members of a ship’s HEART OF THE STORM crew. Their magic allows them to exert control over At 6th level, you gain resistance to lightning and thunder wind and weather in their immediate area. Their abili- damage. In addition, whenever you start casting a spell ties also prove useful in repelling attacks by sahuagin, of 1st level or higher that deals lightning or thunder pirates, and other waterborne threats. damage, stormy magic erupts from you. This eruption STORM SORCERY FEATURES causes creatures of your choice that you can see within Sorcerer Feature 10 feet of you to take lightning or thunder damage Level (choose each time this ability activates) equal to half Wind Speaker, Tempestuous Magic your sorcerer level. 1st Heart of the Storm, Storm Guide 6th Storm’s Fury STORM GUIDE 14th Wind Soul 18th At 6th level, you gain the ability to subtly control the WIND SPEAKER weather around you. The arcane magic you command is infused with ele- If it is raining, you can use an action to cause the rain mental air. You can speak, read, and write Primordial. to stop falling in a 20-foot-radius sphere centered on you. You can end this effect as a bonus action. Knowing this language allows you to understand and If it is windy, you can use a bonus action each be understood by those who speak its dialects: Aquan, round to choose the direction that the wind blows in a 100-foot-radius sphere centered on you. The wind blows Auran, Ignan, and Terran. in that direction until the end of your next turn. This fea- ture doesn’t alter the speed of the wind. TEMPESTUOUS MAGIC STORM S FURY I Starting at 1st level, you can use a bonus action on your Starting at 14th level, when you are hit by a melee at- i turn to cause whirling gusts of elemental air to briefly tack, you can use your reaction to deal lightning damage surround you, immediately before or after you cast a to the attacker. The damage equals your sorcerer level. spell of 1st level or higher. Doing so allows you to fly up The attacker must also make a Strength saving throw to 10 feet without provoking opportunity attacks. against your sorcerer spell save DC. On a failed save, the attacker is pushed in a straight line up to 20 feet away from you. WIND SOUL At 18th level, you gain immunity to lightning and thun- der damage. You also gain a magical flying speed of 60 feet. As an action, you can reduce your flying speed to 30 feet for 1 hour and choose a number of creatures within 30 feet of you equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier. The chosen creatures gain a magical flying speed of 30 feet for 1 hour. Once you reduce your flying speed in this way, you can’t do so again until you finish a short or long rest. -U/Uii is i t c^iil/i i(/u ^li i i(/u sUc c,r

- ^ 1 ^-(0 C C OtA f Ol / rS /) V^ CjUl C ^ ^ ttliK^?c, Co^trcict uitL iOv^< U it ? 5Wfiti f^,(, («<frccl/\\qKC < U/< (( i**v< r 4LU <<[( ttUis! CqK l (< ,<>vAr WARLOCK 1 Your patron has guided and helped your family for You THINK ME MAD? I THINK TRUE INSANITY IS BEING generations and is kindly toward you. content to live a life of mortal drudgery when knowledge 2 Each interaction with your capricious patron is a surprise, whether pleasant or painful. and power is there for the taking in the realm beyond. 3 Your patron is the spirit of a long-dead hero who — Xarren , herald of Acamar sees your pact as a way for it to continue to influ- Warlocks are finders and keepers of secrets. They push ence the world. at the edge of our understanding of the world, always 4 Your patron is a strict disciplinarian but treats you seeking to expand their expertise. Where sages or wiz- with a measure of respect. 5 Your patron tricked you into a pact and treats you ards might heed a clear sign of danger and end their as a slave. research, a warlock plunges ahead, heedless of the cost. 6 You are mostly left to your own devices with no in- Thus, it takes a peculiar mixture of intelligence, curios- terference from your patron. Sometimes you dread ity, and recklessness to produce a warlock. Many folk the demands it will make when it does appear. would describe that combination as evidence of mad- SPECIAL TERMS OF THE PACT ness. Warlocks see it as a demonstration of bravery. A pact can range from a loose agreement to a formal Warlocks are defined by two elements that work contract with lengthy, detailed clauses and lists of re- in concert to forge their path into this class. The first —quirements. The terms of a pact what a warlock must element is the event or circumstances that led to a —do to receive a patron’s favor are always dictated by warlock’s entering into a pact with a planar entity. The the patron. On occasion, those terms include a special second one is the nature of the entity a warlock is bound proviso that might seem odd or whimsical, but warlocks take these dictates as seriously as they do the other re- to. Unlike clerics, who typically embrace a deity and that quirements of their pacts. god’s ethos, a warlock might have no love for a patron, Does your character have a pact that requires you or vice versa. to change your behavior in an unusual or seemingly frivolous way? Even if your patron hasn’t imposed The sections that follow provide ways to embellish a such a duty on you already, that’s not to say it couldn’t warlock character that could generate some intriguing still happen. story and roleplaying opportunities. SPECIAL TERMS PATRON S ATTITUDE 66 Term I When directed, you must take immediate action Every relationship is a two-way street, but in the case of warlocks and their patrons it’s not necessarily true that against a specific enemy of your patron. both sides of the street are the same width or made of 2 Your pact tests your willpower; you are required to the same stuff. The feeling that a warlock holds for their abstain from alcohol and other intoxicants. patron, whether positive or negative, might be recipro- 3 At least once a day, you must inscribe or carve your cated by the patron, or the two participants in the pact patron’s name or symbol on the wall of a building. 4 You must occasionally conduct bizarre rituals to might view one another with opposing emotions. maintain your pact. When you determine the attitude your warlock charac- 5 You can never wear the same outfit twice, since ter holds toward your patron, also consider how things your patron finds such predictability to be boring. look from the patron’s perspective. How does your pa- 6 When you use an eldritch invocation, you must tron behave toward you? Is your patron a friend and ally, speak your patron’s name aloud or risk incurring or an enemy that grants you power only because you its displeasure. forced a pact upon it? CHAPTER 1 | CHARACTER OPTIONS 2

I OTHERWORLDLY PATRONS WARLOCK OF At 1st level, a warlock gains the Otherworldly Patron THE CELESTIAL feature. The following options are available to a warlock, in addition to those offered in the Player’s Handbook: the Celestial and the Hexblade. THE CELESTIAL Your patron is a powerful being of the Upper Planes. You have bound yourself to an ancient empyrean, solar, ki-rin, unicorn, or other entity that resides in the planes of everlasting bliss. Your pact with that being allows you to experience the barest touch of the holy light that illu- minates the multiverse. Being connected to such power can cause changes in your behavior and beliefs. You might find yourself driven to annihilate the undead, to defeat fiends, and to protect the innocent. At times, your heart might also be filled with a longing for the celestial realm of your patron, and a desire to wander that paradise for the rest of your days. But you know that your mission is among mortals for now, and that your pact binds you to bring light to the dark places of the world. CELESTIAL FEATURES Warlock Feature Level 1 st Expanded Spell List, Bonus Cantrips, Healing Light 6th Radiant Soul 10th Celestial Resilience 14th Searing Vengeance BINDING MARK EXPANDED SPELL LIST Some patrons make a habit of, and often enjoy, mark- The Celestial lets you choose from an expanded list of spells when you learn a warlock spell. The following ing the warlocks under their sway in some fashion. A spells are added to the warlock spell list for you. —binding mark makes it clear to those who know about CELESTIAL EXPANDED SPELLS —such things that the individual in question is bound to Spell Level Spells the patron’s service. A warlock might take advantage of such a mark, claiming it as proof of one’s pact, or might 1st cure wounds, guiding bolt 2nd flaming sphere, lesser restoration want to keep it under wraps (if possible) to avoid the dif- 3 rd daylight, revivify 4th guardian of faith, wall of fire ficulties it might bring. 5th flame strike, greater restoration If your warlock’s pact comes with a binding mark, BONUS CANTRIPS how you feel about displaying it probably depends on the nature of your relationship with the one who gave it to At 1st level, you learn the light and sacred flame can- you. Is the mark a source of pride or something you are trips. They count as warlock cantrips for you, but they don’t count against your number of cantrips known. secretly ashamed of? HEALING LIGHT BINDING MARKS At 1st level, you gain the ability to channel celestial d6 Mark energy to heal wounds. You have a pool of d6s that you 1 One of your eyes looks the same as one of your spend to fuel this healing. The number of dice in the patron’s eyes. pool equals 1 + your warlock level. 2 Each time you wake up, the small blemish on your As a bonus action, you can heal one creature you can face appears in a different place. see within 60 feet of you, spending dice from the pool. 3 You display outward symptoms of a disease but suffer no ill effects from it. The maximum number of dice you can spend at once 4 Your tongue is an unnatural color. equals your Charisma modifier (minimum of one die). 5 You have a vestigial tail. 6 Your nose glows in the dark. CHAPTER I I CHARACTER OPTIONS

Roll the dice you spend, add them together, and restore EXPANDED SPELL LIST a number of hit points equal to the total. The Hexblade lets you choose from an expanded list of Your pool regains all expended dice when you finish a spells when you learn a warlock spell. The following long rest. spells are added to the warlock spell list for you. RADIANT SOUL HEXBLADE EXPANDED SPELLS Starting at 6th level, your link to the Celestial allows Spell Level Spells 1st you to serve as a conduit for radiant energy. You have 2nd shield, wrathful smite 3 rd blur, branding smite resistance to radiant damage, and when you cast a spell 4th blink , elemental weapon 5th phantasmal killer, staggering smite that deals radiant or fire damage, you can add your Cha- banishing smite, cone of cold risma modifier to one radiant or fire damage roll of that HEXBLADE S CURSE spell against one of its targets. Starting at 1st level, you gain the ability to place a bale- CELESTIAL RESILIENCE ful curse on someone. As a bonus action, choose one Starting at 10th level, you gain temporary hit points creature you can see within 30 feet of you. The target is whenever you finish a short or long rest. These tempo- cursed for 1 minute. The curse ends early if the target dies, you die, or you are incapacitated. Until the curse rary hit points equal your warlock level + your Charisma ends, you gain the following benefits: modifier. Additionally, choose up to five creatures you can see at the end of the rest. Those creatures each gain • You gain a bonus to damage rolls against the cursed target. The bonus equals your proficiency bonus. temporary hit points equal to half your warlock level + • Any attack roll you make against the cursed target is a your Charisma modifier. critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20 on the d20. SEARING VENGEANCE • If the cursed target dies, you regain hit points equal to your warlock level + your Charisma modifier (mini- Starting at 14th level, the radiant energy you channel mum of 1 hit point). allows you to resist death. When you have to make a You can’t use this feature again until you finish a short death saving throw at the start of your turn, you can or long rest. instead spring back to your feet with a burst of radiant energy. You regain hit points equal to half your hit point HEX WARRIOR maximum, and then you stand up if you so choose. Each At 1st level, you acquire the training necessary to effec- creature of your choice that is within 30 feet of you takes tively arm yourself for battle. You gain proficiency with radiant damage equal to 2d8 + your Charisma modifier, medium armor, shields, and martial weapons. and it is blinded until the end of the current turn. The influence of your patron also allows you to mys- Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until tically channel your will through a particular weapon. you finish a long rest. Whenever you finish a long rest, you can touch one THE HEXBLADE weapon that you are proficient with and that lacks You have made your pact with a mysterious entity from the two-handed property. When you attack with that —the Shadowfell a force that manifests in sentient magic weapon, you can use your Charisma modifier, instead of weapons carved from the stuff of shadow. The mighty Strength or Dexterity, for the attack and damage rolls. sword Blackrazor is the most notable of these weapons, This benefit lasts until you finish a long rest. If you later which have been spread across the multiverse over the ages. The shadowy force behind these weapons can offer power to warlocks who form pacts with it. Many hexblade warlocks create weapons that emulate those formed in the Shadowfell. Others forgo such arms, content to weave the dark magic of that plane into their spellcasting. Because the Raven Queen is known to have forged the first of these weapons, many sages speculate that she and the force are one and that the weapons, along with hexblade warlocks, are tools she uses to manipulate events on the Material Plane to her inscrutable ends. HEXBLADE FEATURES Warlock Feature Level Expanded Spell List, Hexblade’s Curse, 1st Hex Warrior 6th Accursed Specter 10th Armor of Hexes 14th Master of Hexes CHAPTER 1 | CHARACTER OPTIONS

^ t ^?l -<*b[qA«. U/ \\q q coo( ySo Is « ®u.r suor <v|( or °r so^* ) BIA4 f/ nujUt ... OUqc., wow l 4 llU< -tU< *\\ quw«. kqrm Coo( ij 4 uv^ qU/ S < IM<. (,lU < wilM. ^ ? it itq^q-tliqr. £<< As cool. qi^ ^qU <s 5CV\\J « WARLOCK OF THE liEXBLADE the creature cursed by your Hexblade’s Curse dies, you can apply the curse to a different creature you can gain the Pact of the Blade feature, this benefit extends see within 30 feet of you, provided you aren’t inca- to every pact weapon you conjure with that feature, no pacitated. When you apply the curse in this way, you don’t regain hit points from the death of the previously matter the weapon’s type. cursed creature. ACCURSED SPECTER ELDRITCH INVOCATIONS Starting at 6th level, you can curse the soul of a person At 2nd level, a warlock gains the Eldritch Invocations you slay, temporarily binding it to your service. When feature. Here are new options for that feature, in addi- you slay a humanoid, you can cause its spirit to rise from tion to the options in the Player's Handbook. its corpse as a specter, the statistics for which are in If an eldritch invocation has a prerequisite, you must the Monster Manual. When the specter appears, it gains meet it to learn the invocation. You can learn the invo- temporary hit points equal to half your warlock level. cation at the same time that you meet its prerequisite. A Roll initiative for the specter, which has its own turns. level prerequisite refers to your level in this class. It obeys your verbal commands, and it gains a special ASPECT OF THE MOON bonus to its attack rolls equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of +0). Prerequisite: Pact of the Tome feature The specter remains in your service until the end of You no longer need to sleep and can’t be forced to sleep your next long rest, at which point it vanishes to the by any means. To gain the benefits of a long rest, you afterlife. can spend all 8 hours doing light activity, such as read- Once you bind a specter with this feature, you can’t ing your Book of Shadows and keeping watch. use the feature again until you finish a long rest. CLOAK OF FLIES ARMOR OF HEXES Prerequisite: 5th level At 10th level, your hex grows more powerful. If the tar- get cursed by your Hexblade’s Curse hits you with an As a bonus action, you can surround yourself with a attack roll, you can use your reaction to roll a d6. On a 4 or higher, the attack instead misses you, regardless magical aura that looks like buzzing flies. The aura ex- of its roll. tends 5 feet from you in every direction, but not through MASTER OF HEXES Starting at 14th level, you can spread your Hexblade’s total cover. It lasts until you’re incapacitated or you dis- Curse from a slain creature to another creature. When miss it as a bonus action. CHAPTER 1 | CHARACTER OPTIONS The aura grants you advantage on Charisma (Intimi- dation) checks but disadvantage on all other Charisma checks. Any other creature that starts its turn in the aura takes poison damage equal to your Charisma mod- ifier (minimum of 0 damage). Once you use this invocation, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest. ELDRITCH SMITE Prerequisite: 5th level, Pact of the Blade feature Once per turn when you hit a creature with your pact weapon, you can expend a warlock spell slot to deal an extra ld8 force damage to the target, plus another ld8 per level of the spell slot, and you can knock the target prone if it is Huge or smaller. GHOSTLY GAZE Prerequisite: 7th level As an action, you gain the ability to see through solid objects to a range of 30 feet. Within that range, you have darkvision if you don’t already have it. This special sight lasts for 1 minute or until your concentration ends (as

if you were concentrating on a spell). During that time, port up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see within 5 feet of the target cursed by your hex spell or by you perceive objects as ghostly, transparent images. a warlock feature of yours, such as Hexblade’s Curse or Sign of Ill Omen. To teleport in this way, you must be Once you use this invocation, you can’t use it again able to see the cursed target. until you finish a short or long rest. SHROUD OF SHADOW GIFT OF THE DEPTHS Prerequisite: 15th level Prerequisite: 5th level You can cast invisibility at will, without expending a You can breathe underwater, and you gain a swimming spell slot. speed equal to your walking speed. TOMB OF LEVISTUS You can also cast water breathing once without ex- Prerequisite: 5th level pending a spell slot. You regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. As a reaction when you take damage, you can entomb yourself in ice, which melts away at the end of your GIFT OF THE EVER-LIVING ONES next turn. You gain 10 temporary hit points per warlock Prerequisite: Pact of the Chain feature level, which take as much of the triggering damage as possible. Immediately after you take the damage, you Whenever you regain hit points while your familiar is within 100 feet of you, treat any dice rolled to determine gain vulnerability to fire damage, your speed is reduced the hit points you regain as having rolled their maxi- mum value for you. to 0, and you are incapacitated. These effects, including GRASP OF HADAR any remaining temporary hit points, all end when the Prerequisite: eldritch blast cantrip ice melts. Once on each of your turns when you hit a creature Once you use this invocation, you can’t use it again with your eldritch blast, you can move that creature in a straight line 10 feet closer to you. until you finish a short or long rest. IMPROVED PACT WEAPON TRICKSTER S ESCAPE Prerequisite: Pact of the Blade feature Prerequisite: 7th level You can use any weapon you summon with your Pact of You can cast freedom of movement once on yourself the Blade feature as a spellcasting focus for your war- without expending a spell slot. You regain the ability to lock spells. do so when you finish a long rest. In addition, the weapon gains a +1 bonus to its attack and damage rolls, unless it is a magic weapon that al- ready has a bonus to those rolls. Finally, the weapon you conjure can be a shortbow, longbow, light crossbow, or heavy crossbow. LANCE OF LETHARGY Prerequisite: eldritch blast cantrip Once on each of your turns when you hit a creature with your eldritch blast, you can reduce that creature’s speed by 10 feet until the end of your next turn. MADDENING HEX Prerequisite: 5th level, hex spell or a warlock feature that curses As a bonus action, you cause a psychic disturbance around the target cursed by your hex spell or by a war- lock feature of yours, such as Hexblade’s Curse or Sign of Ill Omen. When you do so, you deal psychic damage to the cursed target and each creature of your choice that you can see within 5 feet of it. The psychic damage equals your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1 dam- age). To use this invocation, you must be able to see the cursed target, and it must be within 30 feet of you. RELENTLESS HEX Prerequisite: 7th level, hex spell or a warlock feature that curses Your curse creates a temporary bond between you and your target. As a bonus action, you can magically tele-

.y*j f »*^V Only a select few people in the world are wielders of A tome with pages that are thin sheets of metal spells etched into them with acid magic. Of all those, wizards stand at the pinnacle of Long straps of leather on which spells are written, the craft. Even the least of them can manipulate forces wrapped around a staff for ease of transport A battered tome filled with pictographs that only that flout the laws of nature, and the most accomplished you can understand Small stones inscribed with spells and kept in a among them can cast spells with world-shaking effects. cloth bag The price that wizards pay for their mastery is that A scorched book, ravaged by dragon fire, with the script of your spells barely visible on its pages most valuable of commodities: time. It takes years of A tome full of black pages whose writing is visible study, instruction, and experimentation to learn how to only in dim light or darkness harness magical energy and carry spells around in ones own mind. For adventuring wizards and other spellcast- AMBITION ers who aspire to the highest echelons of the profession, the studying never ends, nor does the quest for knowl- Few aspiring wizards undertake the study of magic without some personal goal in mind. Many wizards use edge and power. their spells as a tool to produce a tangible benefit, in ma- terial goods or in status, for themselves or their compan- If you’re playing a wizard, take advantage of the opportunity to make your character more than just a ions. For others, the theoretical aspect of magic might stereotypical spell-slinger. Use the advice that follows to have a strong appeal, pushing those wizards to seek out knowledge that supports new theories of the arcane or add some intriguing details to how your wizard interacts confirms old ones. with the world. Beyond the obvious, why does your wizard character SPELLBOOK study magic, and what do you want to achieve? If you ha- ven’t given these questions much thought, you can do so —Your wizard character’s most prized possession your now, and the answers you come up with will likely affect spellbook— might be an innocuous-looking volume how your future unfolds. whose covers show no hint of what’s inside. Or you AMBITIONS might display some flair, as many wizards do, by car- d6 Ambition rying a spellbook of an unusual sort. If you don’t own 1 You will prove that the gods aren’t as powerful as folk believe. such an item already, one of your goals might be to find a spellbook that sets you apart by its appearance or its 2 Immortality is the end goal of your studies. means of manufacture. 3 If you can fully understand magic, you can unlock CHAPTER 1 | CHARACTER OPTIONS its use for all and usher in an era of equality. 4 Magic is a dangerous tool. You use it to protect what you treasure. 5 Arcane power must be taken away from those who would abuse it. 6 You will become the greatest wizard the world has seen in generations.

lA/qic(/i. I -tUiS 4rkk WiiqfA! L|o^. 4Cqi^ .Oo i( U\\OcJ L Oyj Ct}U\\.qu\\ i vwOf-« ^^ ^ 4 ^0° , KOW ECCENTRICITY WAR MAGE Endless hours of solitary study and research can have In great battles, a war mage often works with evokers, a negative effect on anyone’s social skills. Wizards, who abjurers, and other types of wizards. Evokers, in par- are a breed apart to begin with, are no exception. An ticular, sometimes tease war mages for splitting their odd mannerism or two is not necessarily a drawback, attention between offense and defense. A war mage’s though; an eccentricity of this sort is usually harmless typical response: “ What good is being able to throw a and could provide a source of amusement or serve as a mighty fireball if I die before I can cast it?” calling card of sorts. WAR MAGIC FEATURES If your character has an eccentricity, is it a physical Wizard Level Feature tic or a mental one? Are you well known in some circles 2nd Arcane Deflection, Tactical Wit 6th Power Surge because of it? Do you fight to overcome it, or do you em- 10th Durable Magic brace this minor claim to fame of yours? 14th Deflecting Shroud ECCENTRICITIES ARCANE DEFLECTION d6 Eccentricity At 2nd level, you have learned to weave your magic to 1 You have the habit of tapping your foot incessantly, fortify yourself against harm. When you are hit by an at- which often annoys those around you. tack or you fail a saving throw, you can use your reaction 2 Your memory is quite good, but you have no trou- to gain a +2 bonus to your AC against that attack or a +4 ble pretending to be absentminded when it suits bonus to that saving throw. your purposes. When you use this feature, you can’t cast spells other 3 You never enter a room without looking to see than cantrips until the end of your next turn. what’s hanging from the ceiling. CHAPTER 1| CHARACTER OPTIONS 4 Your most prized possession is a dead worm that you keep inside a potion vial. 5 When you want people to leave you alone, you start talking to yourself. That usually does the trick. 6 Your fashion sense and grooming, or more ac- curately lack thereof, sometimes cause others to assume you are a beggar. ARCANE TRADITION At 2nd level, a wizard gains the Arcane Tradition fea- ture. The following War Magic option is available to a wizard, in addition to the options offered in the Play- er's Handbook. WAR MAGIC A variety of arcane colleges specialize in training wiz- ards for war. The tradition of War Magic blends princi- ples of evocation and abjuration, rather than specializ- ing in either of those schools. It teaches techniques that empower a caster’s spells, while also providing methods for wizards to bolster their own defenses. Followers of this tradition are known as war mages. They see their magic as both a weapon and armor, a re- source superior to any piece of steel. War mages act fast in battle, using their spells to seize tactical control of a situation. Their spells strike hard, while their defensive skills foil their opponents’ attempts to counterattack. War mages are also adept at turning other spellcasters’ magical energy against them.

? 4l 4 ?XWqf u*q(ic )°< J \\q «A'C,U < y« >iA q U/qr U/iicifA I IwqrA tlu414qb° .i/ ^A , ' r< i 5 i*\\ l 41AI^k BVA4 4r< w\\o ^. ^ ^VAf ( .c /\\qi<\\(« 4 5 Go f.OlU\\ TACTICAL WIT Once per turn when you deal damage to a creature Starting at 2nd level, your keen ability to assess tactical or object with a wizard spell, you can spend one power situations allows you to act quickly in battle. You can surge to deal extra force damage to that target. The ex- tra damage equals half your wizard level. give yourself a bonus to your initiative rolls equal to your DURABLE MAGIC Intelligence modifier. Beginning at 10th level, the magic you channel helps POWER SURGE ward off harm. While you maintain concentration on a Starting at 6th level, you can store magical energy spell, you have a +2 bonus to AC and all saving throws. within yourself to later empower your damaging spells. In its stored form, this energy is called a power surge. DEFLECTING SHROUD You can store a maximum number of power surges At 14th level, your Arcane Deflection becomes infused equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum of one). with deadly magic. When you use your Arcane Deflec- Whenever you finish a long rest, your number of power tion feature, you can cause magical energy to arc from surges resets to one. Whenever you successfully end you. Up to three creatures of your choice that you can a spell with dispel magic or counterspell, you gain one see within 60 feet of you each take force damage equal power surge, as you steal magic from the spell you foiled. If you end a short rest with no power surges, you to half your wizard level. gain one power surge.

THIS IS YOUR LIFE ,A Y O U N G S T R E E T U R C H I N P I L F E R S A P O U C H A N D T O H E R W S U R P R I S E, B E C O M E S T H E N E W O W N E R O F A S P E L L B O O K The character creation rules in the Players Handbook 6T Personal Decisions. After you have selected your provide all the information you need to define your char- character’s background and class, use the appro- acter in preparation for a life of adventuring. What they priate tables to determine how you came to make don't do is account for all the circumstances that shaped those choices. your character during the years between your birth and Life Events. Your character’s existence until now, no the start of your career as a member of a class. matter how brief or uneventful, has been marked by one What did your character accomplish or experience be- —or more life events memorable happenings that have fore deciding to become an adventurer? What were the circumstances of your birth? How large is your family, had an effect on who you are today. and what sorts of relationships do you have with your Supplemental Tables. Your life has intersected with relatives? Which people were the greatest influences on you during your formative years, for better or worse? the lives of plenty of other people, all the way from your To answer these questions and more, you can use infancy to today. When a result mentions such a person, the tables and the advice in this section to compose a — —you can use the supplemental tables (page 72) to add —well-developed backstory for your character— an auto- needed details such as race, class, or occupation to biography of sorts that you can use to inform how you that person. Some tables in the other sections direct you roleplay the character. Your DM can draw from this ma- to one or more of the supplemental tables, and you can terial as the campaign proceeds, creating situations and also use them any other time you see fit. scenarios that build off your previous life experiences. ORIGINS IDEAS, NOT RULES The usual first step in creating your character’s life story Even though these pages are full of tables and die rolls, is to determine your early circumstances. Who were your parents? Where were you born? Did you have any they don’t make up a rules system — in fact, the opposite siblings? Who raised you? You can address these ques- tions by using the following tables. is true. You can use as much or as little of this material PARENTS as you desire, and you can make decisions in any or- You had parents, of course, even if they didn’t raise you. der you want. To determine what you know about these people, use For instance, you might not want these tables to help the Parents table. If you want, you can roll separately on you decide who your parents and siblings are, because that’s among the information you’ve already come up the table for your mother and your father. Use the sup- with. But you can still use other parts, such as the sec- plemental tables as desired (particularly Class, Occupa- tion on life events, to provide added depth and detail. tion, and Alignment) to learn more about your parents. How AND WHEN TO USE THE TABLES CHAPTER 1 | CHARACTER OPTIONS If you’re comfortable with letting the dice decide a cer- tain fact about your character, go ahead and roll. If not, you can take charge and make the decision, choosing from among the possibilities on a table. Of course, you also have the option of disregarding the result of a die roll if it conflicts with another result. Likewise, if the text instructs you to roll on a table, that’s not meant to be taken literally. You can always make your own choice. Although these tables are meant to augment the step-by-step character creation process in the Players Handbook , they don’t occupy a specific place in that pro- —cess. You can use some of them early on for instance, it’s possible to determine your parents and other family members immediately after deciding your character’s —race but you could also wait until later in the process. You might prefer to establish more facts about your —character’s game identity such as your class, ability —scores, and alignment before supplementing that infor- mation with what’s offered here. SECTION BY SECTION This material is divided into four sections, each address- ing a different aspect of your character’s backstory. Origins. To find out who and where you came from, use the “ Origins” section. When you’re done, you will have a summary of facts about your parents, your sib- lings, and the circumstances under which you grew up.

r ~S°, w(/i<f< qr« * h ? UIA IIIAIA. M .,I ripOS ,- ^^l q‘L*l(M &* 0* 41 io 'l «&*? - Cco( UKOW, 4Ao^' ' Jiwq(( l ,4 ^ ^ ^ooMwt]Cqr < . w L|OiA ( st^tqUs u.f lo« (rti*\\ °IA.. BIRTHPLACE dlOO Location PARENTS 01-50 Home 51-55 Home of a family friend dlOO Parents 56-63 Home of a healer or midwife Carriage, cart, or wagon 0 1-9 5 You know who your parents are or were. 64-65 Barn, shed, or other outbuilding 9 6-0 0 You do not know who your parents were. Cave 66-68 Field Nonhuman Parents. If your character is a half-elf, a 69-70 71-72 Forest half-ore, or a tiefling, you can use one of the tables below 73-74 Temple 75-77 Battlefield to determine the race of each of your parents. When you Alley or street 78 Brothel, tavern, or inn have a result, randomly determine which part of the re- 7 9-8 0 Castle, keep, tower, or palace 81-82 Sewer or rubbish heap sult refers to your father and which to your mother. Among people of a different race 83-84 On board a boat or a ship l HALF-ELF PARENTS In a prison or in the headquarters of a secret orga- 85 nization IX d8 Parents 8 6-8 8 In a sage’s laboratory v\\ 89-91 IntheFeywild 1-5 One parent was an elf and the other was a human. 92-93 In the Shadowfell On the Astral Plane or the Ethereal Plane 6 One parent was an elf and the other was a half-elf. 94-95 96 On an Inner Plane of your choice 7 One parent was a human and the other was a half- On an Outer Plane of your choice 97 elf. 98 99 8 Both parents were half-elves. 00 HALF-ORC PARENTS SIBLINGS You might be an only child or one of many children. d8 Parents Your siblings could be cherished friends or hated rivals. 1-3 One parent was an ore and the other was a human. Roll on the Number of Siblings table to determine how 4-5 One parent was an ore and the other was a half- many brothers or sisters you have. If you are a dwarf or ore. an elf, subtract 2 from your roll. Then, roll on the Birth -6-7 One parent was a human and the other was a half Order table for each sibling to determine that person’s age relative to yours (older, younger, or born at the ore. same time). 8 Both parents were half-ores. Occupation. For each sibling of suitable age, roll on TIEFLING PARENTS the Occupation supplemental table to determine what d8 Parents that person does for a living. Alignment. You can choose your siblings’ alignments 1-4 Both parents were humans, their infernal heritage dormant until you came along. or roll on the Alignment supplemental table. Status. By now, each of your siblings might be alive 5-6 One parent was a tiefling and the other was a and well, alive and not so well, in dire straits, or dead. human. Roll on the Status supplemental table. 7 One parent was a tiefling and the other was a devil. Relationship. You can roll on the Relationship sup- 8 One parent was a human and the other was a devil. plemental table to determine how your siblings feel BIRTHPLACE about you. They might all have the same attitude toward After establishing your parentage, you can determine you, or some might view you differently from how the where you were born by using the Birthplace table. others do. (Modify the result or roll again if you get a result that’s Other Details. You can decide any other details you inconsistent with what you know about your parents.) Once you have a result, roll percentile dice. On a roll of like about each sibling, including gender, personality, 00, a strange event coincided with your birth: the moon and place in the world. briefly turning red, all the milk within a mile spoiling, the water in the area freezing solid in midsummer, all the iron in the home rusting or turning to silver, or some other unusual event of your choice. 6 2 NX CHAPTER 1 | CHARACTER OPTIONS

NUMBER OF SIBLINGS dlO Siblings 2 or lower None 3-4 ld 3 5-6 ld4 + 1 7-8 ld6 + 2 9-10 ld8 + 3 BIRTH ORDER 2d6 Birth Order 2 Twin, triplet, or quadruplet 3-7 Older 8-12 Younger FAMILY AND FRIENDS YEARS LATER, WHILE SERVING ON A SHIP S CREW, SHE Who raised you, and what was life like for you when you CALLS ON A BIT OF HER MAGIC TO HELP RIG A MAST were growing up? You might have been raised by your parents, by relatives, or in an orphanage. Or you could ABSENT PARENT have spent your childhood on the streets of a crowded d4 Fate city with only your fellow runaways and orphans to keep 1 Your parent died (roll on the Cause of Death sup- you company. plemental table). Use the Family table to determine who raised you. If 2 Your parent was imprisoned, enslaved, or other- you know who your parents are but you get a result that wise taken away. 3 Your parent abandoned you. does not mention one or both of them, use the Absent 4 Your parent disappeared to an unknown fate. Parent table to determine what happened. Next, refer to the Family Lifestyle table to determine the general circumstances of your upbringing. (Chapter 5 of the Players Handbook has more information about lifestyles.) The result on that table includes a number that is applied to your roll on the Childhood Home table, which tells you where you spent your early years. Wrap up this section by using the Childhood Memories table, which tells you how you were treated by other young- sters as you were growing up. Supplemental Tables. You can roll on the Relation- ship table to determine how your family members or other important figures in your life feel about you. You can also use the Race, Occupation, and Alignment ta- bles to learn more about the family members or guard- ians who raised you. FAMILY d100 Family 01 None FAMILY LIFESTYLE 02 Institution, such as an asylum 03 Temple 3d6 Lifestyle* 0 4-0 5 Orphanage 0 6-0 7 Guardian 3 Wretched (-40) Squalid (-20) 0 8-1 5 Paternal or maternal aunt, uncle, or both; or ex- 4-5 Poor (-10) tended family such as a tribe or clan 16-25 Paternal or maternal grandparent(s) 6-8 Modest (+0) 26-35 Adoptive family (same or different race) Comfortable (+10) 36-55 Single father or stepfather 9-12 Wealthy (+20) Single mother or stepmother 13-15 Aristocratic (+40) 5 6-7 5 Mother and father 7 6-0 0 1 6-1 7 18 *Use the number in this result as a modifier to your roll on the Childhood Home table. CHAPTER 1 CHARACTER OPTIONS

3d6 + Memory Cha mod I had several friends, and my childhood was 13-15 generally a happy one. 18 or higher I always found it easy to make friends, and I loved being around people. Everyone knew who I was, and I had friends everywhere I went. PERSONAL DECISIONS Your character’s life takes a particular course depend- ing on the choices you make for the character’s back- ground and class. BACKGROUND Roll on the appropriate table in this section as soon as you decide your background, or at any later time if you choose. If a background includes a special decision point, such as a folk hero’s defining event or the spe- cialty of a criminal or a sage, it’s best to make that deter- mination before using the pertinent table below. 21-30 No permanent residence; you moved around ACOLYTE a lot 31-40 Encampment or village in the wilderness I became an acolyte because ... 41-50 Apartment in a rundown neighborhood 51-70 Small house I ran away from home at an early age and found 71-90 Large house refuge in a temple. My family gave me to a temple, since they were un- able or unwilling to care for me. I grew up in a household with strong religious con- victions. Entering the service of one or more gods seemed natural. An impassioned sermon struck a chord deep in my soul and moved me to serve the faith. I followed a childhood friend, a respected acquain- .tance, or someone I loved into religious service 6 After encountering a true servant of the gods, I was so inspired that I immediately entered the service of a religious group. 91-110 Mansion CHARLATAN 111 or higher Palace or castle d6 I became a charlatan because ... After making this roll, apply the modifier from the Family Life- 1 I was left to my own devices, and my knack for ma- style table to arrive at the result. nipulating others helped me survive. CHILDHOOD MEMORIES 2 I learned early on that people are gullible and easy to exploit. 3d6 + Memory Cha mod 3 I often got in trouble, but I managed to talk my way 3 or lower I am still haunted by my childhood, when I out of it every time. was treated badly by my peers. 4-5 I spent most of my childhood alone, with no 4 I took up with a confidence artist, from whom I close friends. learned my craft. 6-8 Others saw me as being different or strange, and so I had few companions. 5 After a charlatan fleeced my family, I decided to 9-12 I had a few close friends and lived an ordinary learn the trade so I would never be fooled by such childhood. deception again. 6 I was poor or I feared becoming poor, so I learned the tricks I needed to keep myself out of poverty. CHAPTER 1 | CHARACTER OPTIONS '

CRIMINAL d6 I became a guild artisan because ... d6 I became a criminal because ... 3 One of my family members who belonged to the 1 I resented authority in my younger days and saw a guild made a place for me. life of crime as the best way to fight against tyranny and oppression. 4 I was always good with my hands, so I took the op- 2 Necessity forced me to take up the life, since it was portunity to learn a trade. the only way I could survive. 5 I wanted to get away from my home situation and 3 I fell in with a gang of reprobates and ne’er-do- start a new life. 6 I learned the essentials of my craft from a mentor wells, and I learned my specialty from them. 4 A parent or relative taught me my criminal spe- but had to join the guild to finish my training. cialty to prepare me for the family business. HERMIT 5 I left home and found a place in a thieves’ guild or d6 I became a hermit because ... some other criminal organization. 1 My enemies ruined my reputation, and I fled to the wilds to avoid further disparagement. 6 I was always bored, so I turned to crime to pass the 2 I am comfortable with being isolated, as I seek time and discovered I was quite good at it. .inner peace ENTERTAINER 3 I never liked the people I called my friends, so it d6 I became an entertainer because ... was easy for me to strike out on my own. 1 Members of my family made ends meet by per- 4 I felt compelled to forsake my past, but did so with great reluctance, and sometimes I regret making forming, so it was fitting for me to follow their that decision. example. 2 I always had a keen insight into other people, 5 I lost everything— my home, my family, my friends. enough so that I could make them laugh or cry Going it alone was all I could do. with my stories or songs. 3 I ran away from home to follow a minstrel troupe. 6 Society’s decadence disgusted me, so I decided to 4 I saw a bard perform once, and I knew from that leave it behind. moment on what I was born to do. 5 I earned coin by performing on street corners and NOBLE eventually made a name for myself. 6 A traveling entertainer took me in and taught me d6 I became a noble because ... the trade. 1 I come from an old and storied family, and it fell to FOLK HERO me to preserve the family name. d6 I became a folk hero because ... 1 I learned what was right and wrong from my family. 2 My family has been disgraced, and I intend to clear our name. 2 I was always enamored by tales of heroes and wished I could be something more than ordinary. 3 My family recently came by its title, and that eleva- 3 I hated my mundane life, so when it was time for tion thrust us into a new and strange world. someone to step up and do the right thing, I took my chance. 4 My family has a title, but none of my ancestors have distinguished themselves since we gained it. 4 A parent or one of my relatives was an adventurer, and I was inspired by that person’s courage. 5 My family is filled with remarkable people. I hope to live up to their example. 5 A mad old hermit spoke a prophecy when I was 6 I hope to increase my family’s power and influence. born, saying that I would accomplish great things. OUTLANDER 6 I have always stood up for those who are weaker d6 I became an outlander because ... than I am. 1 I spent a lot of time in the wilderness as a young- GUILD ARTISAN ster, and I came to love that way of life. d6 I became a guild artisan because ... 1 I was apprenticed to a master who taught me the 2 From a young age, I couldn’t abide the stink of the cities and preferred to spend my time in nature. guild's business. 3 I came to understand the darkness that lurks in the 2 I helped a guild artisan keep a secret or complete a wilds, and I vowed to combat it. task, and in return I was taken on as an apprentice. 4 My people lived on the edges of civilization, and I learned the methods of survival from my family. 5 After a tragedy I retreated to the wilderness, leav- ing my old life behind. 6 My family moved away from civilization, and I learned to adapt to my new environment. CHAPTER 1 | CHARACTER OPTIONS

I became a sage because ... I became an urchin because ... I was naturally curious, so I packed up and went to a university to learn more about the world. 3 Monsters wiped out my village, and I was the sole My mentor’s teachings opened my mind to new survivor. I had to find a way to survive. possibilities in that field of study. 4 A notorious thief looked after me and other or- I was always an avid reader, and I learned much phans, and we spied and stole to earn our keep. about my favorite topic on my own. 5 One day I woke up on the streets, alone and hun- I discovered an old library and pored over the texts I found there. That experience awakened a hunger gry, with no memory of my early childhood. for more knowledge. 6 My parents died, leaving no one to look after me. I I impressed a wizard who told me I was squander- raised myself. ing my talents and should seek out an education to CLASS TRAINING take advantage of my gifts. If you haven’t chosen your class yet, do so now, keeping One of my parents or a relative gave me a basic ed- in mind your background and all the other details you ucation that whetted my appetite, and I left home have established so far. Once you’ve made your selec- to build on what I had learned. tion, roll a d6 and find the number you rolled on the ap- SAILOR propriate table in this section, which describes how you d6 I became a sailor because ... came to be a member of that class. l I was press-ganged by pirates and forced to serve on their ship until I finally escaped. The class sections earlier in this chapter have further story suggestions, which you can use in concert with the 2 I wanted to see the world, so I signed on as a deck- hand for a merchant ship. material here. 3 One of my relatives was a sailor who took me to BARBARIAN sea. d6 I became a barbarian because ... 4 I needed to escape my community quickly, so I 1 My devotion to my people lifted me in battle, mak- stowed away on a ship. When the crew found me, I ing me powerful and dangerous. was forced to work for my passage. 2 The spirits of my ancestors called on me to carry 5 Reavers attacked my community, so I found refuge out a great task. on a ship until I could seek vengeance. 3 I lost control in battle one day, and it was as if 6 I had few prospects where I was living, so I left to something else was manipulating my body, forcing it to kill every foe I could reach. find my fortune elsewhere. 4 I went on a spiritual journey to find myself and SOLDIER instead found a spirit animal to guide, protect, and d6 I became a soldier because ... inspire me. 1 I joined the militia to help protect my community 5 I was struck by lightning and lived. Afterward, I from monsters. found a new strength within me that let me push 2 A relative of mine was a soldier, and I wanted to beyond my limitations. carry on the family tradition. 6 My anger needed to be channeled into battle, or I 3 The local lord forced me to enlist in the army. risked becoming an indiscriminate killer. 4 War ravaged my homeland while I was growing up. BARD I became a bard because ... Fighting was the only life I ever knew. 5 I wanted fame and fortune, so I joined a mercenary d6 I awakened my latent bardic abilities through trial 1 company, selling my sword to the highest bidder. 2 and error. 6 Invaders attacked my homeland. It was my duty to 3 I was a gifted performer and attracted the atten- take up arms in defense of my people. 4 tion of a master bard who schooled me in the old 5 URCHIN 6 techniques. d6 I became an urchin because ... 1 Wanderlust caused me to leave my family to see I joined a loose society of scholars and orators to the world. I look after myself. learn new techniques of performance and magic. 2 I ran away from a bad situation at home and made I felt a calling to recount the deeds of champions my own way in the world. and heroes, to bring them alive in song and story. I joined one of the great colleges to learn old lore, the secrets of magic, and the art of performance. I picked up a musical instrument one day and in- stantly discovered that I could play it. CHAPTER 1 | CHARACTER OPTIONS

fiSV'1 u\\ CLERIC ...I became a cleric because mm d6 A supernatural being in service to the gods called 1 me to become a divine agent in the world. 2 I saw the injustice and horror in the world and felt 3 moved to take a stand against them. 4 My god gave me an unmistakable sign. I dropped 5 everything to serve the divine. Although I was always devout, it wasn’t until I com- 6 pleted a pilgrimage that I knew my true calling. I used to serve in my religion’s bureaucracy but found I needed to work in the world, to bring the message of my faith to the darkest corners of the land. I realize that my god works through me, and I do as commanded, even though I don’t know why I was chosen to serve. DRUID .I became a druid because .. MONK d6 d6 I saw too much devastation in the wild places, too 1 1 much of nature’s splendor ruined by the despoil- 2 2 3 ers. I joined a circle of druids to fight back against 4 3 the enemies of nature. 5 4 I found a place among a group of druids after I fled 6 5 a catastrophe. 6 ...I became a monk because I have always had an affinity for animals, so I ex- I was chosen to study at a secluded monastery. plored my talent to see how I could best use it. There, I was taught the fundamental techniques required to eventually master a tradition. I befriended a druid and was moved by druidic teachings. I decided to follow my friend’s guidance I sought instruction to gain a deeper understand- and give something back to the world. ing of existence and my place in the world. While I was growing up, I saw spirits all around % me— entities no one else could perceive. I sought out the druids to help me understand the visions I stumbled into a portal to the Shadowfell and took and communicate with these beings. refuge in a strange monastery, where I learned how to defend myself against the forces of darkness. I have always felt disgust for creatures of unnatural origin. For this reason, I immersed myself in the I was overwhelmed with grief after losing someone study of the druidic mysteries and became a cham- close to me, and I sought the advice of philoso- pion of the natural order. phers to help me cope with my loss. FIGHTER I could feel that a special sort of power lay within ...d6 I became a fighter because me, so I sought out those who could help me call it 1 I wanted to hone my combat skills, and so I joined forth and master it. a war college. I was wild and undisciplined as a youngster, but 2 I squired for a knight who taught me how to fight, then I realized the error of my ways. I applied to a monastery and became a monk as a way to live a care for a steed, and conduct myself with honor. I life of discipline. decided to take up that path for myself. 3 Horrible monsters descended on my community, killing someone I loved. I took up arms to destroy those creatures and others of a similar nature. 4 I joined the army and learned how to fight as part of a group. 5 I grew up fighting, and I refined my talents by de- fending myself against people who crossed me. 6 I could always pick up just about any weapon and know how to use it effectively. CHAPTER 1 | CHARACTER OPTIONS

ROGUE ...I became a rogue because I’ve always been nimble and quick of wit, so I de- cided to use those talents to help me make my way in the world. An assassin or a thief wronged me, so I focused my training on mastering the skills of my enemy to better combat foes of that sort. An experienced rogue saw something in me and taught me several useful tricks. I decided to turn my natural lucky streak into the basis of a career, though I still realize that improv- ing my skills is essential. I took up with a group of ruffians who showed me how to get what I want through sneakiness rather than direct confrontation. I’m a sucker for a shiny bauble or a sack of coins, as long as I can get my hands on it without risking life and limb. I always had a way with animals, able to calm them ..I became a sorcerer because . with a soothing word and a touch. I suffer from terrible wanderlust, so being a ranger When I was born, all the water in the house froze gave me a reason not to remain in one place for solid, the milk spoiled, or all the iron turned to cop- too long. per. My family is convinced that this event was a I have seen what happens when the monsters harbinger of stranger things to come for me. come out from the dark. I took it upon myself to I suffered a terrible emotional or physical strain, become the first line of defense against the evils which brought forth my latent magical power. I that lie beyond civilization's borders. have fought to control it ever since. I met a grizzled ranger who taught me woodcraft My immediate family never spoke of my ancestors, and the secrets of the wild lands. and when I asked, they would change the subject. I served in an army, learning the precepts of my It wasn’t until I started displaying strange talents profession while blazing trails and scouting enemy that the full truth of my heritage came out. encampments. When a monster threatened one of my friends, I CHAPTER 1 | CHARACTER OPTIONS became filled with anxiety. I lashed out instinctively and blasted the wretched thing with a force that came from within me. Sensing something special in me, a stranger taught me how to control my gift. After I escaped from a magical conflagration, I realized that though I was unharmed, I was not unchanged. I began to exhibit unusual abilities that I am just beginning to understand. WARLOCK ..d6 I became a warlock because . 1 While wandering around in a forbidden place, I encountered an otherworldly being that offered to enter into a pact with me. 2 I was examining a strange tome I found in an aban- doned library when the entity that would become my patron suddenly appeared before me.

d6 I became a warlock because ... LIFE EVENTS BY AGE 3 I stumbled into the clutches of my patron after I ac- d l O O Current Age Life Events cidentally stepped through a magical doorway. 01-20 20 years or younger 1 4 When I was faced with a terrible crisis, I prayed to 21-59 21-30 years ld4 any being who would listen, and the creature that 60-69 31-40 years ld6 70-89 41-50 years ld8 answered became my patron. 90-99 51-60 years ldlO 61 years or older 1dl 2 5 My future patron visited me in my dreams and of- 00 fered great power in exchange for my service. LIFE EVENTS 6 One of my ancestors had a pact with my patron, so d!00 Event M that entity was determined to bind me to the same 01-10 11-20 You suffered a tragedy. Roll on the Tragedies table. agreement. 21-30 You gained a bit of good fortune. Roll on the Boons WIZARD 31-40 table. d6 I became a wizard because ... 41-50 You fell in love or got married. If you get this result 1 An old wizard chose me from among several candi- 51-70 more than once, you can choose to have a child dates to serve an apprenticeship. 71-75 instead. Work with your DM to determine the iden- 2 When I became lost in a forest, a hedge wizard 76-80 found me, took me in, and taught me the rudi- tity of your love interest. 81-85 You made an enemy of an adventurer. Roll a d6. An ments of magic. 86-90 odd number indicates you are to blame for the rift, and an even number indicates you are blameless. 3 I grew up listening to tales of great wizards and 91-95 Use the supplemental tables and work with your knew I wanted to follow their path. I strove to be DM to determine this hostile character’s identity accepted at an academy of magic and succeeded. 96-99 00 and the danger this enemy poses to you. 4 One of my relatives was an accomplished wizard You made a friend of an adventurer. Use the sup- who decided I was smart enough to learn the craft. plemental tables and work with your DM to add 5 While exploring an old tomb, library, or temple, more detail to this friendly character and establish how your friendship began. I found a spellbook. I was immediately driven to You spent time working in a job related to your learn all I could about becoming a wizard. background. Start the game with an extra 2d6 gp. 6 I was a prodigy who demonstrated mastery of the You met someone important. Use the supplemen- arcane arts at an early age. When I became old tal tables to determine this character’s identity and enough to set out on my own, I did so to learn how this individual feels about you. Work out ad- more magic and expand my power. ditional details with your DM as needed to fit this LIFE EVENTS character into your backstory. No matter how long you’ve been alive, you have expe- You went on an adventure. Roll on the Adventures rienced at least one signature event that has markedly table to see what happened to you. Work with your DM to determine the nature of the adventure and influenced your character. Life events include wondrous happenings and tragedies, conflicts and successes, and the creatures you encountered. encounters with the unusual. They can help to explain You had a supernatural experience. Roll on the Su- why your character became an adventurer, and some pernatural Events table to find out what it was. might still affect your life even after they are long over. You fought in a battle. Roll on the War table to The older a character is, the greater the chance for multiple life events, as shown on the Life Events by Age learn what happened to you. Work with your DM to come up with the reason for the battle and the fac- table. If you have already chosen your character’s start- tions involved. It might have been a small conflict between your community and a band of ores, or it ing age, see the entry in the Life Events column that could have been a major battle in a larger war. corresponds to how old you are. Otherwise, you can roll You committed a crime or were wrongly accused of dice to determine your current age and number of life doing so. Roll on the Crime table to determine the nature of the offense and on the Punishment table events randomly. to see what became of you. After you know the number of life events your charac- You encountered something magical. Roll on the ter has experienced, roll once on the Life Events table Arcane Matters table. for each of them. Many of the results on that table direct you to one of the secondary tables that follow. Once you Something truly strange happened to you. Roll on the Weird Stuff table. have determined all of your character’s life events, you can arrange them in any chronological order you see fit. CHAPTER 1 | CHARACTER OPTIONS

SECONDARY TABLES BOONS These tables add detail to many of the results on the Life d I O Boon Events table. The tables are in alphabetical order. 1 A friendly wizard gave you a spell scroll containing ADVENTURES one cantrip (of the DM’s choice). dlOO Outcome 2 You saved the life of a commoner, who now owes 01-10 you a life debt. This individual accompanies you on 11-20 You nearly died. You have nasty scars on your your travels and performs mundane tasks for you, 21-30 body, and you are missing an ear, ld3 fingers, or 31-40 but will leave if neglected, abused, or imperiled. ld4 toes. 41-50 Determine details about this character by using the You suffered a grievous injury. Although the wound supplemental tables and working with your DM. 51-60 healed, it still pains you from time to time. 3 You found a riding horse. You were wounded, but in time you fully recovered. 4 You found some money. You have ld20 gp in addi- 71-80 tion to your regular starting funds. 81-90 You contracted a disease while exploring a filthy 91-99 warren. You recovered from the disease, but you 5 A relative bequeathed you a simple weapon of your have a persistent cough, pockmarks on your skin, or prematurely gray hair. choice. 6 You found something interesting. You gain one You were poisoned by a trap or a monster. You re- additional trinket. covered, but the next time you must make a saving 7 You once performed a service for a local temple. throw against poison, you make the saving throw The next time you visit the temple, you can receive with disadvantage. healing up to your hit point maximum. You lost something of sentimental value to you 8 A friendly alchemist gifted you with a potion of .during your adventure Remove one trinket from healing or a flask of acid, as you choose. 9 You found a treasure map. your possessions. 10 A distant relative left you a stipend that enables You were terribly frightened by something you en- you to live at the comfortable lifestyle for ld20 countered and ran away, abandoning your compan- .years If you choose to live at a higher lifestyle, you ions to their fate. reduce the price of the lifestyle by 2 gp during that You learned a great deal during your adventure. time period. The next time you make an ability check or a saving CRIME Crime throw, you have advantage on the roll. Murder You found some treasure on your adventure. You d8 Theft have 2d6 gp left from your share of it. 1 Burglary 2 Assault You found a considerable amount of treasure on 3 Smuggling your adventure. You have ld20 + 50 gp left from 4 your share of it. 5 Kidnapping You came across a common magic item (of the 6 DM’s choice). 7 Extortion 8 Counterfeiting ARCANE MATTERS PUNISHMENT Magical Event d!2 Punishment You were charmed or frightened by a spell. 1-3 4-6 You did not commit the crime and were exonerated You were injured by the effect of a spell. 7-8 after being accused. You committed the crime or helped do so, but You witnessed a powerful spell being cast by a 9-12 nonetheless the authorities found you not guilty. cleric, a druid, a sorcerer, a warlock, or a wizard. You were nearly caught in the act. You had to flee and are wanted in the community where the crime You drank a potion (ofthe DM’s choice). occurred. You found a spell scroll (of the DM's choice) and succeeded in casting the spell it contained. You were caught and convicted. You spent time in You were affected by teleportation magic. You turned invisible for a time. jail, chained to an oar, or performing hard labor. You identified an illusion for what it was. You served a sentence of ld4 years or succeeded in You saw a creature being conjured by magic. escaping after that much time. Your fortune was read by a diviner. Roll twice on the Life Events table, but don’t apply the results. Instead, the DM picks one event as a portent of your future (which might or might not come true). CHAPTER 1|CHARACTER OPTIONS

SUPERNATURAL EVENTS dlOO Event Tragedy 01-05 06-10 You were ensorcelled by a fey and enslaved for ld6 A terrible blight in your home community caused 11-15 years before you escaped. crops to fail, and many starved. You lost a sibling or some other family member. 16-20 You saw a demon and ran away before it could do 21-30 You did something that brought terrible shame to 31-40 anything to you. you in the eyes of your family. You might have been involved in a scandal, dabbled in dark magic, or 41-50 A devil tempted you. Make a DC 10 Wisdom saving offended someone important. The attitude of your 51-60 throw. On a failed save, your alignment shifts one family members toward you becomes indifferent at 61-70 step toward evil (if it’s not evil already), and you best, though they might eventually forgive you. start the game with an additional ld20 + 50 gp. 71-75 You woke up one morning miles from your home, 10 For a reason you were never told, you were exiled 76-80 with no idea how you got there. from your community. You then either wandered in 81-85 the wilderness for a time or promptly found a new 86-90 You visited a holy site and felt the presence of the 91-95 place to live. 96-00 divine there. 11 A romantic relationship ended. Roll a d6. An odd You witnessed a falling red star, a face appearing in number means it ended with bad feelings, while an the frost, or some other bizarre happening. You are even number means it ended amicably. certain that it was an omen of some sort. 12 A current or prospective romantic partner of yours You escaped certain death and believe it was the died. Roll on the Cause of Death supplemental intervention of a god that saved you. table to find out how. If the result is murder, roll a You witnessed a minor miracle. d!2. On a 1, you were responsible, whether directly You explored an empty house and found it to be % haunted. or indirectly. You were briefly possessed. Roll a d6 to determine what type of creature possessed you: 1, celestial; 2, devil; 3, demon; 4, fey; 5, elemental; 6, undead. You saw a ghost. You saw a ghoul feeding on a corpse. A celestial or a fiend visited you in your dreams to give a warning of dangers to come. You briefly visited the Feywild or the Shadowfell. You saw a portal that you believe leads to another plane of existence. TRAGEDIES WAR War Outcome d!2 Tragedy d!2 You were knocked out and left for dead. You woke 1-2 A family member or a close friend died. Roll on 1 up hours later with no recollection of the battle. You were badly injured in the fight, and you still the Cause of Death supplemental table to find out 2-3 bear the awful scars of those wounds. how. 4 3 A friendship ended bitterly, and the other person You ran away from the battle to save your life, but 5-7 you still feel shame for your cowardice. is now hostile to you. The cause might have been a misunderstanding or something you or the former You suffered only minor injuries, and the wounds friend did. all healed without leaving scars. 4 You lost all your possessions in a disaster, and you had to rebuild your life. 5 You were imprisoned for a crime you didn’t com- mit and spent ld6 years at hard labor, in jail, or shackled to an oar in a slave galley. 6 War ravaged your home community, reducing ev- erything to rubble and ruin. In the aftermath, you either helped your town rebuild or moved some- where else. 7 A lover disappeared without a trace. You have been looking for that person ever since. CHAPTER 1 | CHARACTER OPTIONS

dl 2 War Outcome 3d6 Alignment 8-9 13-15 You survived the battle, but you suffer from terrible 16-17 Neutral good 10-11 nightmares in which you relive the experience. Lawful good (50%) or lawful neutral (50%) You escaped the battle unscathed, though many of 18 Chaotic good (50%) or chaotic neutral (50%) 12 your friends were injured or lost. CAUSE OF DEATH You acquitted yourself well in battle and are re- dl2 Cause of Death membered as a hero. You might have received a medal for your bravery. 1 Unknown 2 Murdered WEIRD STUFF 3 Killed in battle 4 Accident related to class or occupation d!2 What Happened 5 Accident unrelated to class or occupation 1 You were turned into a toad and remained in that 6-7 Natural causes, such as disease or old age 8 Apparent suicide form for ld4 weeks. 9 Torn apart by an animal or a natural disaster 2 You were petrified and remained a stone statue for 10 Consumed by a monster 11 Executed for a crime or tortured to death a time until someone freed you. 12 Bizarre event, such as being hit by a meteorite, 3 You were enslaved by a hag, a satyr, or some other struck down by an angry god, or killed by a hatch- being and lived in that creature’s thrall for ld6 ing slaad egg years. CLASS Class 4 A dragon held you as a prisoner for ld4 months Barbarian until adventurers killed it. d100 Bard 01-07 Cleric i 5 You were taken captive by a race of evil humanoids 08-14 Druid such as drow, kuo-toa, or quaggoths. You lived as a 15-29 Fighter 30-36 Monk slave in the Underdark until you escaped. 37-52 Paladin 53-58 Ranger 6 You served a powerful adventurer as a hireling. You 59-64 Rogue 65-70 Sorcerer have only recently left that service. Use the supple- 71-84 Warlock 85-89 Wizard mental tables and work with your DM to determine 90-94 the basic details about your former employer. 95-00 7 You went insane for ld6 years and recently re- OCCUPATION gained your sanity. A tic or some other bit of odd d100 Occupation behavior might linger. 8 A lover of yours was secretly a silver dragon. 01-05 Academic 9 You were captured by a cult and nearly sacrificed Adventurer (roll on the Class table) on an altar to the foul being the cultists served. 06-10 Aristocrat You escaped, but you fear they will find you. Artisan or guild member 10 You met a demigod, an archdevil, an archfey, a de- 11 Criminal mon lord, or a titan, and you lived to tell the tale. 12-26 Entertainer 11 You were swallowed by a giant fish and spent a 27-31 Exile, hermit, or refugee month in its gullet before you escaped. 32-36 Explorer or wanderer 12 A powerful being granted you a wish, but you 37-38 Farmer or herder squandered it on something frivolous. 39-43 Hunter or trapper 44-55 Laborer SUPPLEMENTAL TABLES 56-60 Merchant 61-75 Politician or bureaucrat The supplemental tables below give you a way to ran- 76-80 domly determine characteristics and other facts about 81-85 individuals who are part of your character’s life. Use 86-90 Priest 91-95 Sailor these tables when directed to do so by another table, or 96-00 Soldier when you simply want to come up with a piece of infor- mation quickly. The tables are in alphabetical order. ALIGNMENT 24M 3d6 Alignment 3 Chaotic evil (50%) or chaotic neutral (50%) m 4-5 Lawful evil 6-8 Neutral evil 9-12 Neutral X 72 v CHAPTER 1 | CHARACTER OPTIONS XX v\\

RACE Race RACIAL FEATS dlOO Human Leveling up in a class is the main way a character 01-40 Dwarf 41-50 Elf evolves during a campaign. Some DMs also allow the 51-60 Halfling use of feats to customize a character. Feats are an op- 61-70 Dragonborn 71-75 Gnome tional rule in chapter 6, “ Customization Options,” of the 76-80 Half-elf 81-85 Player's Handbook. The DM decides whether they’re 86-90 Half-ore 91-95 Tiefling used and may also decide that some feats are available 96-00 DM's choice in a campaign and others aren’t. RELATIONSHIP This section introduces a collection of special feats 3d4 Attitude 3-4 Hostile that allow you to explore your character’s race fur- 5-10 Friendly 11-12 Indifferent ther. These feats are each associated with a race from the Player's Handbook , as summarized in the Racial STATUS Feats table. A racial feat represents either a deepening 3d6 Status 3 connection to your race’s culture or a physical trans- Dead (roll on the Cause of Death table) formation that brings you closer to an aspect of your 4-5 Missing or unknown 6-8 race’s lineage. Alive, but doing poorly due to injury, financial trou- 9-12 The cause of a particular transformation is up to you 13-15 ble, or relationship difficulties and your DM. A transformational feat can symbolize a 16-17 Alive and well Alive and quite successful latent quality that has emerged as you age, or a transfor- 18 Alive and infamous Alive and famous mation might be the result of an event in the campaign, such as exposure to powerful magic or visiting a place of ancient significance to your race. Transformations are a fundamental motif of fantasy literature and folklore. Fig- uring out why your character has changed can be a rich addition to your campaign’s story. WHAT S NEXT? RACIAL FEATS Feat / When you’re finished using these tables, you’ll have a Race Dragon Fear 73 Dragon Hide —collection of facts and notes that at a minimum— encap- Dragonborn Dwarven Fortitude Dragonborn Squat Nimbleness sulate what your character has been doing in the world Dwarf Elven Accuracy up till now. Sometimes that might be all the information Dwarf Elf Drow High Magic you want, but you don’t have to stop there. Elf (drow) Fey Teleportation Elf (high) Wood Elf Magic By using your creativity to stitch all these bits together Elf (wood) Fade Away into a continuous narrative, you can create a full-fledged Squat Nimbleness autobiography for your character in as little as a few Gnome Elven Accuracy Gnome Prodigy —sentences an excellent example of how the whole is Orcish Fury Half-elf Prodigy greater than the sum of its parts. Half- elf Bountiful Luck Half-ore Second Chance Did you get a couple of results on the tables that don’t Half-ore Squat Nimbleness outright contradict each other but also don’t seem to fit Halfling Prodigy together smoothly? If so, now is your chance to explain Halfling Flames of Phlegethos Halfling Infernal Constitution what happened to you. For instance, let’s say you were Human Tiefling born in a castle, but your childhood home was in the Tiefling wilderness. It could be that your parents traveled from The feats are presented below in alphabetical order. their forest home to seek help from a midwife at the BOUNTIFUL LUCK castle when your mother was close to giving birth. Or Prerequisite: Halfling your parents might have been members of the castle’s Your people have extraordinary luck, which you have staff before you were born, but they were released from learned to mystically lend to your companions when you service soon after you came into the world. see them falter. You’re not sure how you do it; you just In addition to deepening your own roleplaying experi- wish it, and it happens. Surely a sign of fortune’s favor! ence, your character’s history presents your DM with op- portunities to weave those elements into the story of the campaign. Any way you look at it, adding definition to your character’s pre-adventuring life is time well spent. CHAPTER 1 | CHARACTER OPTIONS

When an ally you can see within 30 feet of you rolls a • Whenever you take the Dodge action in combat, you 1 on the d20 for an attack roll, an ability check, or a sav- ing throw, you can use your reaction to let the ally reroll can spend one Hit Die to heal yourself. Roll the die, the die. The ally must use the new roll. add your Constitution modifier, and regain a number of hit points equal to the total (minimum of 1). When you use this ability, you can’t use your Lucky ELVEN ACCURACY racial trait before the end of your next turn. -Prerequisite: Elf or half elf DRAGON FEAR The accuracy of elves is legendary, especially that of elf archers and spellcasters. You have uncanny aim with at- Prerequisite: Dragonborn tacks that rely on precision rather than brute force. You When angered, you can radiate menace. You gain the following benefits: gain the following benefits: • Increase your Strength, Constitution, or Charisma • Increase your Dexterity, Intelligence, Wisdom, or Cha- score by 1, to a maximum of 20. risma score by 1, to a maximum of 20. • Instead of exhaling destructive energy, you can ex- • Whenever you have advantage on an attack roll using pend a use of your Breath Weapon trait to roar, forcing Dexterity, Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma, you can each creature of your choice within 30 feet of you to reroll one of the dice once. make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 8 + your proficiency FADE AWAY bonus + your Charisma modifier). A target automati- Prerequisite: Gnome cally succeeds on the save if it can’t hear or see you. Your people are clever, with a knack for illusion magic. On a failed save, a target becomes frightened of you You have learned a magical trick for fading away when for 1 minute. If the frightened target takes any dam- you suffer harm. You gain the following benefits: age, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect • Increase your Dexterity or Intelligence score by 1, to a on itself on a success. maximum of 20. DRAGON HIDE • Immediately after you take damage, you can use a reaction to magically become invisible until the end Prerequisite: Dragonborn of your next turn or until you attack, deal damage, You manifest scales and claws reminiscent of your dra- or force someone to make a saving throw. Once you conic ancestors. You gain the following benefits: use this ability, you can’t do so again until you finish a short or long rest. • Increase your Strength, Constitution, or Charisma FEY TELEPORTATION score by 1, to a maximum of 20. Prerequisite: Elf (high) • Your scales harden. While you aren’t wearing armor, Your study of high elven lore has unlocked fey power you can calculate your AC as 13 + your Dexterity mod- that few other elves possess, except your eladrin cous- ifier. You can use a shield and still gain this benefit. ins. Drawing on your fey ancestry, you can momentarily • You grow retractable claws from the tips of your fin- stride through the Feywild to shorten your path from gers. Extending or retracting the claws requires no one place to another. You gain the following benefits: action. The claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you • Increase your Intelligence or Charisma score by 1, to deal slashing damage equal to ld4 + your Strength a maximum of 20. modifier, instead of the normal bludgeoning damage • You learn to speak, read, and write Sylvan. for an unarmed strike. • You learn the misty step spell and can cast it once DROW HIGH MAGIC without expending a spell slot. You regain the abil- ity to cast it in this way when you finish a short or Prerequisite: Elf (drow) long rest. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for You learn more of the magic typical of dark elves. You this spell. learn the detect magic spell and can cast it at will, with- FLAMES OF PHLEGETHOS out expending a spell slot. You also learn levitate and Prerequisite: Tiefling dispel magic, each of which you can cast once without expending a spell slot. You regain the ability to cast You learn to call on hellfire to serve your commands. those two spells in this way when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for all three spells. You gain the following benefits: DWARVEN FORTITUDE • Increase your Intelligence or Charisma score by 1, to Prerequisite: Dwarf a maximum of 20. You have the blood of dwarf heroes flowing through • When you roll fire damage for a spell you cast, you can reroll any roll of 1 on the fire damage dice, but you your veins. You gain the following benefits: must use the new roll, even if it is another 1. • Increase your Constitution score by 1, to a max • Whenever you cast a spell that deals fire damage, you imum of 20. can cause flames to wreathe you until the end of your CHAPTER 1 I CHARACTER OPTIONS \\

next turn. The flames don’t harm you or your posses- SQUAT NIMBLENESS sions, and they shed bright light out to 30 feet and dim Prerequisite: Dwarf or a Small race light for an additional 30 feet. While the flames are You are uncommonly nimble for your race. You gain the following benefits: present, any creature within 5 feet of you that hits you • Increase your Strength or Dexterity score by 1, to a with a melee attack takes ld4 fire damage. maximum of 20. INFERNAL CONSTITUTION • Increase your walking speed by 5 feet. • You gain proficiency in the Acrobatics or Athletics Prerequisite: Tiefling skill (your choice). Fiendish blood runs strong in you, unlocking a resil- • You have advantage on any Strength (Athletics) or ience akin to that possessed by some fiends. You gain Dexterity (Acrobatics) check you make to escape from being grappled. the following benefits: WOOD ELF MAGIC • Increase your Constitution score by 1, to a max- Prerequisite: Elf (wood) imum of 20. You learn the magic of the primeval woods, which are • You have resistance to cold damage and poi- revered and protected by your people. You learn one son damage. druid cantrip of your choice. You also learn the long- • You have advantage on saving throws against be- strider and pass without trace spells, each of which you ing poisoned. can cast once without expending a spell slot. You regain ORCISH FURY the ability to cast these two spells in this way when you Prerequisite: Half-ore finish a long rest. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for all three spells. Your inner fury burns tirelessly. You gain the follow- ing benefits: • Increase your Strength or Constitution score by 1, to a maximum of 20. • When you hit with an attack using a simple or martial weapon, you can roll one of the weapon’s damage dice an additional time and add it as extra damage of the weapon’s damage type. Once you use this ability, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest. • Immediately after you use your Relentless Endur- ance trait, you can use your reaction to make one weapon attack. PRODIGY Prerequisite: Half-elf, half-ore, or human You have a knack for learning new things. You gain the following benefits: • You gain one skill proficiency of your choice, one tool proficiency of your choice, and fluency in one language of your choice. • Choose one skill in which you have proficiency. You gain expertise with that skill, which means your profi- ciency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make with it. The skill you choose must be one that isn’t already benefiting from a feature, such as Expertise, that doubles your proficiency bonus. SECOND CHANCE Prerequisite: Halfling Fortune favors you when someone tries to strike you. You gain the following benefits: • Increase your Dexterity, Constitution, or Charisma score by 1, to a maximum of 20. • When a creature you can see hits you with an attack roll, you can use your reaction to force that creature to reroll. Once you use this ability, you can’t use it again until you roll initiative at the start of combat or until you finish a short or long rest. fti .

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CHAPTER 2 >* vr\\ DUNGEON MASTER S TOOLS s THE DUNGEON MASTER, YOU OVERSEE turn, you descend up to 500 feet at the end of that turn. U the game and weave together the story ex- This process continues until the fall ends, either be- /1 perienced by your players. You’re the one cause you hit the ground or the fall is otherwise halted. 1m who keeps it all going, and this chapter is FLYING CREATURES AND FALLING for you. It gives you new rules options, as A flying creature in flight falls if it is knocked prone, if well as some refined tools for creating and its speed is reduced to 0 feet, or if it otherwise loses the running adventures and campaigns. It is a ability to move, unless it can hover or it is being held supplement to the tools and advice offered in the Dungeon Master's Guide. aloft by magic, such as the fly spell . The chapter opens with optional rules meant to help If you’d like a flying creature to have a better chance of you run certain parts of the game more smoothly. The surviving a fall than a non-flying creature does, use this rule: subtract the creature’s current flying speed from —chapter then goes into greater depth on several topics the distance it fell before calculating falling damage. encounter building, random encounters, traps, magic This rule is helpful to a flier that is knocked prone but items, and downtime— which largely relate to how you is still conscious and has a current flying speed that is create and stage your adventures. greater than 0 feet. The rule is designed to simulate the The material in this chapter is meant to make your creature flapping its wings furiously or taking similar life easier. Ignore anything you find here that doesn’t measures to slow the velocity of its fall. help you, and don’t hesitate to customize the things that If you use the rule for rate of falling in the previous you do use. The game’s rules exist to serve you and the section, a flying creature descends 500 feet on the turn games you run. As always, make them your own. when it falls, just as other creatures do. But if that crea- SIMULTANEOUS EFFECTS ture starts any of its later turns still falling and is prone, Most effects in the game happen in succession, follow- it can halt the fall on its turn by spending half its flying ing an order set by the rules or the DM. In rare cases, speed to counter the prone condition (as if it were stand- effects can happen at the same time, especially at the ing up in midair). start or end of a creature’s turn. If two or more things SLEEP happen at the same time on a character or monster’s Just as in the real world, D&D characters spend many —turn, the person at the game table whether player or —DM who controls that creature decides the order in hours sleeping, most often as part of a long rest. Most monsters also need to sleep. While a creature sleeps, which those things happen. For example, if two effects it is subjected to the unconscious condition. Here are a few rules that expand on that basic fact. occur at the end of a player character’s turn, the player WAKING SOMEONE decides which of the two effects happens first. A creature that is naturally sleeping, as opposed to be- FALLING ing in a magically or chemically induced sleep, wakes up if it takes any damage or if someone else uses an ac- Falling from a great height is a significant risk for ad- tion to shake or slap the creature awake. A sudden loud venturers and their foes. The rule given in the Players —noise— such as yelling, thunder, or a ringing bell also Handbook is simple: at the end of a fall, you take ld6 bludgeoning damage for every 10 feet you fell, to a maxi- awakens sojneone that is sleeping naturally. mum of 20d6. You also land prone, unless you somehow Whispers don’t disturb sleep, unless a sleeper’s pas- avoid taking damage from the fall. Here are two optional sive Wisdom (Perception) score is 20 or higher and the rules that expand on that simple rule. whispers are within 10 feet of the sleeper. Speech at a RATE OF FALLING normal volume awakens a sleeper if the environment is otherwise silent (no wind, birdsong, crickets, street The rule for falling assumes that a creature immediately sounds, or the like) and the sleeper has a passive Wis- drops the entire distance when it falls. But what if a dom (Perception) score of 15 or higher. creature is at a high altitude when it falls, perhaps on SLEEPING IN ARMOR the back of a griffon or on board an airship? Realisti- cally, a fall from such a height can take more than a few Sleeping in light armor has no adverse effect on the seconds, extending past the end of the turn when the fall wearer, but sleeping in medium or heavy armor makes it occurred. If you’d like high-altitude falls to be properly difficult to recover fully during a long rest. time-consuming, use the following optional rule. When you fall from a great height, you instantly de- scend up to 500 feet. If you’re still falling on your next CHAPTER 2 1 DUNGEON MASTER’S TOOLS

When you finish a long rest during which you slept in TOOLS AND SKILLS TOGETHER medium or heavy armor, you regain only one quarter of Tools have more specific applications than skills. The your spent Hit Dice (minimum of one die). If you have History skill applies to any event in the past. A tool such any levels of exhaustion, the rest doesn’t reduce your as a forgery kit is used to make fake objects and little exhaustion level. else. Thus, why would a character who has the opportu- GOING WITHOUT A LONG REST nity to acquire one or the other want to gain a tool profi- A long rest is never mandatory, but going without sleep ciency instead of proficiency in a skill? To make tool proficiencies more attractive choices for does have its consequences. If you want to account for the characters, you can use the methods outlined below. the effects of sleep deprivation on characters and crea- Advantage. If the use of a tool and the use of a skill tures, use these rules. both apply to a check, and a character is proficient with Whenever you end a 24-hour period without finishing the tool and the skill, consider allowing the character a long rest, you must succeed on a DC 10 Constitution to make the check with advantage. This simple benefit saving throw or suffer one level of exhaustion. It becomes harder to fight off exhaustion if you stay can go a long way toward encouraging players to pick awake for multiple days. After the first 24 hours, the up tool proficiencies. In the tool descriptions that follow, DC increases by 5 for each consecutive 24-hour period this benefit is often expressed as additional insight (or something similar), which translates into an increased without a long rest. The DC resets to 10 when you finish a long rest. chance that the check will be a success. ADAMANTINE WEAPONS Added Benefit. In addition, consider giving characters who have both a relevant skill and a relevant tool profi- Adamantine is an ultrahard metal found in meteorites ciency an added benefit on a successful check. This ben- and extraordinary mineral veins. In addition to being efit might be in the form of more detailed information or used to craft adamantine armor; the metal is also used could simulate the effect of a different sort of successful for weapons. check. For example, a character proficient with mason’s Melee weapons and ammunition made of or coated tools makes a successful Wisdom (Perception) check to with adamantine are unusually effective when used find a secret door in a stone wall. Not only does the char- to break objects. Whenever an adamantine weapon acter notice the door’s presence, but you decide that the or piece of ammunition hits an object, the hit is a tool proficiency entitles the character to an automatic critical hit. success on an Intelligence (Investigation) check to deter- The adamantine version of a melee weapon or of mine how to open the door. ten pieces of ammunition costs 500 gp more than the normal version, whether the weapon or ammunition is TOOL DESCRIPTIONS made of the metal or coated with it. The following sections go into detail about the tools pre- TYING KNOTS sented in the Player's Handbook, offering advice on how The rules are purposely open-ended concerning mun- to use them in a campaign. dane tasks like tying knots, but sometimes knowing Components. The first paragraph in each description how well a knot was fashioned is important in a dra- matic scene when someone is trying to untie a knot or gives details on what a set of supplies or tools is made slip out of one. Here’s an optional rule for determining up of. A character who is proficient with a tool knows the effectiveness of a knot. how to use all of its component parts. The creature who ties the knot makes an Intelligence Skills. Every tool potentially provides advantage on a check when used in conjunction with certain skills, pro- (Sleight of Hand) check when doing so. The total of the vided a character is proficient with the tool and the skill. As DM, you can allow a character to make a check using check becomes the DC for an attempt to untie the knot the indicated skill with advantage. Paragraphs that be- with an Intelligence (Sleight of Hand) check or to slip gin with skill names discuss these possibilities. In each of these paragraphs, the benefits apply only to someone out of it with a Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. who has proficiency with the tool, not someone who sim- ply owns it. This rule intentionally links Sleight of Hand with Intelligence, rather than Dexterity. This is an example With respect to skills, the system is mildly abstract in of how to apply the rule in the “ Variant: Skills with terms of what a tool proficiency represents; essentially, it assumes that a character who has proficiency with a Different Abilities” section in chapter 7 of the Play- tool also has learned about facets of the trade or pro- fession that are not necessarily associated with the use er's Handbook. of the tool. TOOL PROFICIENCIES In addition, you can consider giving a character extra Tool proficiencies are a useful way to highlight a charac- information or an added benefit on a skill check. The ter’s background and talents. At the game table, though, text provides some examples and ideas when this oppor- the use of tools sometimes overlaps with the use of skills, and it can be unclear how to use them together in tunity is relevant. Special Use. Proficiency with a tool usually brings certain situations. This section offers various ways that with it a particular benefit in the form of a special use, tools can be used in the game. as described in this paragraph. CHAPTER 2 | DUNGEON MASTER’S TOOLS —

Sample DCs. A table at the end of each section lists CALLIGRAPHER S SUPPLIES I jf i activities that a tool can be used to perform, and sug- Calligraphy treats writing as a delicate, beautiful art. gested DCs for the necessary ability checks. Calligraphers produce text that is pleasing to the eye, ALCHEMIST S SUPPLIES using a style that is difficult to forge. Their supplies also Alchemist’s supplies enable a character to produce use- give them some ability to examine scripts and determine ful concoctions, such as acid or alchemist’s fire. if they are legitimate, since a calligrapher’s training in- Components. Alchemist’s supplies include two glass volves long hours of studying writing and attempting to beakers, a metal frame to hold a beaker in place over an open flame, a glass stirring rod, a small mortar and replicate its style and design. pestle, and a pouch of common alchemical ingredients, Components. Calligrapher’s supplies include ink, a including salt, powdered iron, and purified water. dozen sheets of parchment, and three quills. Arcana. Proficiency with alchemist’s supplies allows Arcana. Although calligraphy is of little help in deci- you to unlock more information on Arcana checks in- phering the content of magical writings, proficiency with volving potions and similar materials. Investigation. When you inspect an area for clues, these supplies can aid in identifying who wrote a script proficiency with alchemist’s supplies grants additional of a magical nature. insight into any chemicals or other substances that History. This tool proficiency can augment the might have been used in the area. benefit of successful checks made to analyze or inves- Alchemical Crafting. You can use this tool proficiency tigate ancient writings, scrolls, or other texts, includ- ing runes etched in stone or messages in frescoes or to create alchemical items. A character can spend other displays. money to collect raw materials, which weigh 1 pound for every 50 gp spent. The DM can allow a character to Decipher Treasure Map. This tool proficiency grants make a check using the indicated skill with advantage. As part of a long rest, you can use alchemist’s supplies you expertise in examining maps. You can make an to make one dose of acid, alchemist’s fire, antitoxin, oil, perfume, or soap. Subtract half the value of the cre- Intelligence check to determine a map’s age, whether a ated item from the total gp worth of raw materials you map includes any hidden messages, or similar facts. are carrying. ALCHEMIST'S SUPPLIES Activity Create a puff of thick smoke Identify a poison Identify a substance Start a fire Neutralize acid BREWER S SUPPLIES Brewing is the art of producing beer. Not only does beer serve as an alcoholic beverage, but the process of brew- ing purifies water. Crafting beer takes weeks of fermen- tation, but only a few hours of work. Components. Brewer’s supplies include a large glass jug, a quantity of hops, a siphon, and several feet of tubing. History. Proficiency with brewer’s supplies gives you additional insight on Intelligence (History) checks concerning events that involve alcohol as a signifi- cant element. Medicine. This tool proficiency grants additional insight when you treat anyone suffering from alcohol poisoning or when you can use alcohol to dull pain. Persuasion. A stiff drink can help soften the hardest heart. Your proficiency with brewer’s supplies can help you ply someone with drink, giving them just enough alcohol to mellow their mood. Potable Water. Your knowledge of brewing enables you to purify water that would otherwise be undrink- able. As part of a long rest, you can purify up to 6 gal- lons of water, or 1 gallon as part of a short rest. CHAPTER 2 | DUNGEON MASTER’S TOOLS

CALLIGRAPHER S SUPPLIES DC Nature. Your familiarity with physical geography 10 makes it easier for you to answer questions or solve is- Activity 15 sues relating to the terrain around you. Identify writer of nonmagical script 15 Determine writer’s state of mind 20 Survival. Your understanding of geography makes it Spot forged text easier to find paths to civilization, to predict areas where Forge a signature villages or towns might be found, and to avoid becom- ing lost. You have studied so many maps that common CARPENTER S TOOLS patterns, such as how trade routes evolve and where settlements arise in relation to geographic locations, are Skill at carpentry enables a character to construct familiar to you. wooden structures. A carpenter can build a house, a Craft a Map. While traveling, you can draw a map as shack, a wooden cabinet, or similar items. you go in addition to engaging in other activity. Components. Carpenter’s tools include a saw, a ham- CARTOGRAPHER S TOOLS mer, nails, a hatchet, a square, a ruler, an adze, a plane, Activity Determine a map’s age and origin and a chisel. Estimate direction and distance to a landmark DC Discern that a map is fake 10 History. This tool proficiency aids you in identifying Fill in a missing part of a map 15 15 the use and the origin of wooden buildings and other 20 large wooden objects. Investigation. You gain additional insight when in- specting areas within wooden structures, because you know tricks of construction that can conceal areas from COBBLER S TOOLS discovery. Although the cobbler’s trade might seem too humble for an adventurer, a good pair of boots will see a character Perception. You can spot irregularities in wooden across rugged wilderness and through deadly dungeons. walls or floors, making it easier to find trap doors and Components. Cobbler’s tools consist of a hammer, secret passages. an awl, a knife, a shoe stand, a cutter, spare leather, Stealth. You can quickly assess the weak spots in a and thread. Arcana, History. Your knowledge of shoes aids you in wooden floor, making it easier to avoid the places that identifying the magical properties of enchanted boots or creak and groan when they’re stepped on. the history of such items. Fortify. With 1 minute of work and raw materials, Investigation. Footwear holds a surprising number you can make a door or window harder to force open. of secrets. You can learn where someone has recently Increase the DC needed to open it by 5. visited by examining the wear and the dirt that has ac- cumulated on their shoes. Your experience in repairing Temporary Shelter. As part of a long rest, you can shoes makes it easier for you to identify where damage construct a lean-to or a similar shelter to keep your might come from. group dry Maintain Shoes. As part of a long rest, you can repair and in the shade for the duration of the rest. your companions’ shoes. For the next 24 hours, up to six Because it was fashioned quickly from whatever wood creatures of your choice who wear shoes you worked on was available, the shelter collapses ld3 days after being can travel up to 10 hours a day without making saving assembled. throws to avoid exhaustion. Craft Hidden Compartment. With 8 hours of work, CARPENTER S TOOLS DC 10 you can add a hidden compartment to a pair of shoes. Activity 15 Build a simple wooden structure 15 The compartment can hold an object up to 3 inches long Design a complex wooden structure 20 and 1 inch wide and deep. You make an Intelligence Find a weak point in a wooden wall check using your tool proficiency to determine the In- Pry apart a door telligence (Investigation) check DC needed to find the CARTOGRAPHER S TOOLS compartment. Using cartographer’s tools, you can create accurate COBBLER S TOOLS DC maps to make travel easier for yourself and those who 10 Activity 15 come after you. These maps can range from large-scale Determine a shoe’s age and origin Find a hidden compartment in a boot heel depictions of mountain ranges to diagrams that show COOK S UTENSILS the layout of a dungeon level. Components. Cartographer’s tools consist of a Adventuring is a hard life. With a cook along on the jour- quill, ink, parchment, a pair of compasses, calipers, ney, your meals will be much better than the typical mix and a ruler. of hardtack and dried fruit. Components. Cook’s utensils include a metal pot, Arcana, History, Religion. You can use your knowl- knives, forks, a stirring spoon, and a ladle. edge of maps and locations to unearth more detailed information when you use these skills. For instance, you might spot hidden messages in a map, identify when the map was made to determine if geographical features have changed since then, and so forth. CHAPTER 2 | DUNGEON MASTER’S TOOLS

History. Your knowledge of cooking techniques al- FORGERY KIT lows you to assess the social patterns involved in a cul- A forgery kit is designed to duplicate documents and to ture’s eating habits. Medicine. When administering treatment, you can make it easier to copy a person’s seal or signature. Components. A forgery kit includes several different transform medicine that is bitter or sour into a pleasing types of ink, a variety of parchments and papers, several concoction. quills, seals and sealing wax, gold and silver leaf, and Survival. When foraging for food, you can make do small tools to sculpt melted wax to mimic a seal. Arcana. A forgery kit can be used in conjunction with ingredients you scavenge that others would be un- with the Arcana skill to determine if a magic item is able to transform into nourishing meals. Prepare Meals. As part of a short rest, you can pre- real or fake. pare a tasty meal that helps your companions regain Deception. A well-crafted forgery, such as papers pro- their strength. You and up to five creatures of your choice regain 1 extra hit point per Hit Die spent during claiming you to be a noble or a writ that grants you safe a short rest, provided you have access to your cook’s utensils and sufficient food. passage, can lend credence to a lie. COOK'S UTENSILS DC History. A forgery kit combined with your knowledge 10 Activity 10 of history improves your ability to create fake historical Create a typical meal 15 Duplicate a meal 15 documents or to tell if an old document is authentic. Spot poison or impurities in food Investigation. When you examine objects, proficiency Create a gourmet meal with a forgery kit is useful for determining how an ob- DISGUISE KIT ject was made and whether it is genuine. The perfect tool for anyone who wants to engage in Other Tools. Knowledge of other tools makes your trickery, a disguise kit enables its owner to adopt a forgeries that much more believable. For example, you could combine proficiency with a forgery kit and profi- false identity. Components. A disguise kit includes cosmetics, hair ciency with cartographer’s tools to make a fake map. dye, small props, and a few pieces of clothing. Quick Fake. As part of a short rest, you can produce a forged document no more than one page in length. As Deception. In certain cases, a disguise can improve part of a long rest, you can produce a document that is your ability to weave convincing lies. up to four pages long. Your Intelligence check using a Intimidation. The right disguise can make you look forgery kit determines the DC for someone else’s Intelli- more fearsome, whether you want to scare someone away by posing as a plague victim or intimidate a gang gence (Investigation) check to spot the fake. of thugs by taking the appearance of a bully. FORGERY KIT DC Performance. A cunning disguise can enhance an au- 15 dience’s enjoyment of a performance, provided the dis- Activity 20 guise is properly designed to evoke the desired reaction. Mimic handwriting Duplicate a wax seal Persuasion. Folk tend to trust a person in uniform. If GAMING SET you disguise yourself as an authority figure, your efforts Proficiency with a gaming set applies to one type of to persuade others are often more effective. Create Disguise. As part of a long rest, you can game, such as Three-Dragon Ante or games of chance that use dice. create a disguise. It takes you 1 minute to don such a Components. A gaming set has all the pieces needed disguise once you have created it. You can carry only to play a specific game or type of game, such as a com- one such disguise on you at a time without drawing plete deck of cards or a board and tokens. undue attention, unless you have a bag of holding or History. Your mastery of a game includes knowledge a similar method to keep them hidden. Each disguise of its history, as well as of important events it was con- nected to or prominent historical figures involved with it. weighs 1 pound. At other times, it takes 10 minutes to craft a disguise Insight. Playing games with someone is a good way to gain understanding of their personality, granting you a that involves moderate changes to your appearance, better ability to discern their lies from their truths and and 30 minutes for one that requires more exten- read their mood. sive changes. Sleight'ofHand. Sleight of Hand is a useful skill for DISGUISE KIT DC cheating at a game, as it allows you to swap pieces, 10 palm cards, or alter a die roll. Alternatively, engrossing Activity 15 a target in a game by manipulating the components with Cover injuries or distinguishing marks 20 dexterous movements is a great distraction for a pick- Spot a disguise being used by someone else pocketing attempt. Copy a humanoid’s appearance GAMING SET DC 15 IA Activity 15 Catch a player cheating I Gain insight into an opponent’s personality / CHAPTER 2 | DUNGEON MASTER’S TOOLS f 8l

GLASSBLOWER S TOOLS This insight proves handy when you make Arcana Someone who is proficient with glassblower’s tools checks related to gems or gem-encrusted items. has not only the ability to shape glass, but also spe- Investigation. When you inspect jeweled objects, your cialized knowledge of the methods used to produce proficiency with jeweler’s tools aids you in picking out glass objects. clues they might hold. Components. The tools include a blowpipe, a small Identify Gems. You can identify gems and determine marver, blocks, and tweezers. You need a source of heat their value at a glance. to work glass. JEWELER'S TOOLS DC Arcana, History. Your knowledge of glassmaking 15 Activity 20 techniques aids you when you examine glass objects, Modify a gem’s appearance Determine a gem’s history such as potion bottles or glass items found in a treasure LAND AND WATER VEHICLES hoard. For instance, you can study how a glass potion Proficiency with land vehicles covers a wide range of op- bottle has been changed by its contents to help deter- tions, from chariots and howdahs to wagons and carts. mine a potion’s effects. (A potion might leave behind a Proficiency with water vehicles covers anything that nav- residue, deform the glass, or stain it.) Investigation. When you study an area, your knowl- igates waterways. Proficiency with vehicles grants the edge can aid you if the clues include broken glass or knowledge needed to handle vehicles of that type, along glass objects. with knowledge of how to repair and maintain them. In addition, a character proficient with water vehicles Identify Weakness. With 1 minute of study, you can identify the weak points in a glass object. Any damage is knowledgeable about anything a professional sailor dealt to the object by striking a weak spot is doubled. would be familiar with, such as information about the GLASSBLOWER S TOOLS DC sea and islands, tying knots, and assessing weather and 10 Activity 20 sea conditions. Identify source of glass Arcana. When you study a magic vehicle, this tool pro- Determine what a glass object once held ficiency aids you in uncovering lore or determining how HERBALISM KIT the vehicle operates. Proficiency with an herbalism kit allows you to identify Investigation, Perception. When you inspect a vehi- plants and safely collect their useful elements. cle for clues or hidden information, your proficiency aids Components. An herbalism kit includes pouches to you in noticing things that others might miss. store herbs, clippers and leather gloves for collecting Vehicle Handling. When piloting a vehicle, you can plants, a mortar and pestle, and several glass jars. apply your proficiency bonus to the vehicle’s AC and sav- Arcana. Your knowledge of the nature and uses of ing throws. herbs can add insight to your magical studies that deal VEHICLES DC with plants and your attempts to identify potions. Activity 10 Investigation. When you inspect an area overgrown Navigate rough terrain or waters 15 Assess a vehicle’s condition 20 with plants, your proficiency can help you pick out de- Take a tight corner at high speed tails and clues that others might miss. LEATHERWORKER S TOOLS Medicine. Your mastery of herbalism improves your Knowledge of leatherworking extends to lore concern- ability to treat illnesses and wounds by augmenting your ing animal hides and their properties. It also confers methods of care with medicinal plants. knowledge of leather armor and similar goods. Nature and Survival. When you travel in the wild, Components. Leatherworker’s tools include a knife, your skill in herbalism makes it easier to identify plants a small mallet, an edger, a hole punch, thread, and and spot sources of food that others might overlook. leather scraps. Identify Plants. You can identify most plants with a Arcana. Your expertise in working with leather grants quick inspection of their appearance and smell. you added insight when you inspect magic items crafted HERBALISM KIT DC from leather, such as boots and some cloaks. 15 Activity Investigation. You gain added insight when studying Find plants 20 leather items or clues related to them, as you draw on Identify poison your knowledge of leather to pick out details that others a JEWELER S TOOLS would overlook. Identify Hides. When looking at a hide or a leather boS Training with jeweler’s tools includes the basic tech- 82 > item, you can determine the source of the leather and niques needed to beautify gems. It also gives you exper- any special techniques used to treat it. For example, tise in identifying precious stones. you can spot the difference between leather crafted using dwarven methods and leather crafted using half- Components.Jeweler’s tools consist of a small saw and hammer, files, pliers, and tweezers. ling methods. Arcana. Proficiency with jeweler’s tools grants you knowledge about the reputed mystical uses of gems. CHAPTER 2 | DUNGEON MASTER’S TOOLS

r LEATHERWORKER'S TOOLS DC NAVIGATOR S TOOLS DC 10 10 / Activity 20 Activity 15 Modify a leather item’s appearance Plot a course Determine a leather item’s history Discover your position on a nautical chart MASON S TOOLS PAINTER S SUPPLIES Mason’s tools allow you to craft stone structures, includ- Proficiency with painter’s supplies represents your ing walls and buildings crafted from brick. ability to paint and draw. You also acquire an under- Components. Mason’s tools consist of a trowel, a standing of art history, which can aid you in examining hammer, a chisel, brushes, and a square. works of art. History. Your expertise aids you in identifying a stone Components. Painter’s supplies include an easel, can- building’s date of construction and purpose, along with vas, paints, brushes, charcoal sticks, and a palette. insight into who might have built it. Arcana, History; Religion. Your expertise aids you in Investigation. You gain additional insight when in- uncovering lore of any sort that is attached to a work of specting areas within stone structures. art, such as the magical properties of a painting or the Perception. You can spot irregularities in stone walls or floors, making it easier to find trap doors and se- origins of a strange mural found in a dungeon. cret passages. Investigation, Perception. When you inspect a Demolition. Your knowledge of masonry allows you painting or a similar work of visual art, your knowledge of the practices behind creating it can grant you addi- to spot weak points in brick walls. You deal double dam- tional insight. age to such structures with your weapon attacks. Painting and Drawing. As part of a short or long rest, MASON S TOOLS DC you can produce a simple work of art. Although your 10 Activity 15 work might lack precision, you can capture an image or Chisel a small hole in a stone wall Find a weak point in a stone wall a scene, or make a quick copy of a piece of art you saw. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS PAINTER S SUPPLIES DC 10 Proficiency with a musical instrument indicates you are Activity 20 Paint an accurate portrait familiar with the techniques used to play it. You also Create a painting with a hidden message have knowledge of some songs commonly performed POISONER S KIT with that instrument. A poisoner’s kit is a favored resource for thieves, assas- History. Your expertise aids you in recalling lore re- sins, and others who engage in skulduggery. It allows lated to your instrument. you to apply poisons and create them from various Performance. Your ability to put on a good show materials. Your knowledge of poisons also helps you is improved when you incorporate an instrument treat them. into your act. Components. A poisoner’s kit includes glass vials, a Compose a Tune. As part of a long rest, you can mortar and pestle, chemicals, and a glass stirring rod. compose a new tune and lyrics for your instrument. You History. Your training with poisons can help you might use this ability to impress a noble or spread scan- when you try to recall facts about infamous poisonings. dalous rumors with a catchy tune. Investigation, Perception. Your knowledge of poisons MUSICAL INSTRUMENT DC has taught you to handle those substances carefully, .i/fl 10 giving you an edge when you inspect poisoned objects or Activity 20 / Identify a tune try to extract clues from events that involve poison. Improvise a tune Medicine. When you treat the victim of a poison, your * 83 NAVIGATOR S TOOLS knowledge grants you added insight into how to provide Proficiency with navigator’s tools helps you determine a the best care to your patient. true course based on observing the stars. It also grants Nature, Survival. Working with poisons enables you to acquire lore about which plants and animals are you insight into charts and maps while developing your poisonous. sense of direction. Components. Navigator’s tools include a sextant, a Handle Poison. Your proficiency allows you to handle and apply a poison without risk of exposing yourself to compass, calipers, a ruler, parchment, ink, and a quill. Survival. Knowledge of navigator’s tools helps you its effects. avoid becoming lost and also grants you insight into the POISONER'S TOOLS DC 10 most likely location for roads and settlements. Activity 20 Sighting. By taking careful measurements, you can Spot a poisoned object Determine the effects of a poison determine your position on a nautical chart and the time of day. CHAPTER 2 | DUNGEON MASTER’S TOOLS -4

.Arcana and History, Your expertise lends you ad- 1 ditional insight when examining metal objects, such as weapons. Investigation. You can spot clues and make deduc- tions that others might overlook when an investigation involves armor, weapons, or other metalwork. Repair. With access to your tools and an open flame hot enough to make metal pliable, you can restore 10 hit points to a damaged metal object for each hour of work. SMITH'S TOOLS DC 10 Activity 15 Sharpen a dull blade 15 Repair a suit of armor Sunder a nonmagical metal object POTTER S TOOLS THIEVES TOOLS Potter’s tools are used to create a variety of ceramic ob- Perhaps the most common tools used by adventurers, thieves’ tools are designed for picking locks and foiling jects, most typically pots and similar vessels. traps. Proficiency with the tools also grants you a gen- Components. Potter’s tools include potter’s needles, eral knowledge of traps and locks. ribs, scrapers, a knife, and calipers. Components. Thieves’ tools include a small file, a set History. Your expertise aids you in identifying ce- of lock picks, a small mirror mounted on a metal handle, ramic objects, including when they were created and a set of narrow-bladed scissors, and a pair of pliers. their likely place or culture of origin. History. Your knowledge of traps grants you insight Investigation, Perception. You gain additional insight when answering questions about locations that are re- when inspecting ceramics, uncovering clues others nowned for their traps. Investigation and Perception. You gain additional in- would overlook by spotting minor irregularities. sight when looking for traps, because you have learned Reconstruction. By examining pottery shards, you can determine an object’s original, intact form and its a variety of common signs that betray their presence. likely purpose. Seta Trap.Just as you can disable traps, you can also set them. As part of a short rest, you can create a trap using items you have on hand. The total of your check becomes the DC for someone else’s attempt to discover or disable the trap. The trap deals damage appropriate to the materials used in crafting it (such as poison or a weapon) or damage equal to half the total of your check, whichever the DM deems appropriate. THIEVES' TOOLS DC Varies Activity Varies Pick a lock Disable a trap POTTER'S TOOLS DC TINKER S TOOLS 10 Activity 15 A set of tinker’s tools is designed to enable you to repair Determine what a vessel once held 20 Create a serviceable pot many mundane objects. Though you can’t manufacture Find a weak point in a ceramic object much with tinker’s tools, you can mend torn clothes, SMITH S TOOLS sharpen a worn sword, and patch a tattered suit of Smith’s tools allow you to work metal, heating it to chain mail. alter its shape, repair damage, or work raw ingots into Components. Tinker’s tools include a variety of hand useful items. Components. Smith’s tools include hammers, tongs, tools, thread, needles, a whetstone, scraps of cloth and charcoal, rags, and a whetstone. leather, and a small pot of glue. History. You can determine the age and origin of ob- jects, even if you have only a few pieces remaining from the original. Investigation. When you inspect a damaged ob- ject, you gain knowledge of how it was damaged and how long ago. CHAPTER 2 | DUNGEON MASTER’S TOOLS Hm

.Repair You can restore 10 hit points to a damaged ob- SPELLCASTING ject for each hour of work. For any object, you need ac- This section expands on the spellcasting rules pre- cess to the raw materials required to repair it. For metal sented in the Player's Handbook and the Dungeon Mas- objects, you need access to an open flame hot enough to ter's Guide, providing clarifications and new options. make the metal pliable. PERCEIVING A CASTER AT WORK TINKER S TOOLS DC Many spells create obvious effects: explosions of fire, 10 Activity 15 walls of ice, teleportation, and the like. Other spells, Temporarily repair a disabled device 20 Repair an item in half the time such as charm person, display no visible, audible, or oth- Improvise a temporary item using scraps erwise perceptible sign of their effects, and could easily WEAVER S TOOLS go unnoticed by someone unaffected by them. As noted in the Player's Handbook , you normally don’t know that Weaver’s tools allow you to create cloth and tailor it into a spell has been cast unless the spell produces a notice- articles of clothing. able effect. Components. Weaver’s tools include thread, needles, But what about the act of casting a spell? Is it possible and scraps of cloth. You know how to work a loom, but for someone to perceive that a spell is being cast in their such equipment is too large to transport. presence? To be perceptible, the casting of a spell must involve a verbal, somatic, or material component. The Arcana, History. Your expertise lends you additional form of a material component doesn’t matter for the purposes of perception, whether it’s an object specified insight when examining cloth objects, including cloaks in the spell’s description, a component pouch, or a spell- and robes. Investigation. Using your knowledge of the process of casting focus. creating cloth objects, you can spot clues and make de- If the need for a spell’s components has been removed by a special ability, such as the sorcerer’s Subtle Spell ductions that others would overlook when you examine feature or the Innate Spellcasting trait possessed by many creatures, the casting of the spell is imperceptible. tapestries, upholstery, clothing, and other woven items. If an imperceptible casting produces a perceptible ef- Repair. As part of a short rest, you can repair a single fect, it’s normally impossible to determine who cast the damaged cloth object. spell in the absence of other evidence. Craft Clothing. Assuming you have access to suf- IDENTIFYING A SPELL ficient cloth and thread, you can create an outfit for a Sometimes a character wants to identify a spell that creature as part of a long rest. someone else is casting or that was already cast. To do WEAVER S TOOLS DC so, a character can use their reaction to identify a spell 10 as it’s being cast, or they can use an action on their turn Activity 10 Repurpose cloth 15 to identify a spell by its effect after it is cast. Mend a hole in a piece of cloth Tailor an outfit If the character perceived the casting, the spell’s ef- fect, or both, the character can make an Intelligence (Ar- WOODCARVER S TOOLS cana) check with the reaction or action. The DC equals Woodcarver’s tools allow you to craft intricate objects from wood, such as wooden tokens or arrows. 15 + the spell’s level. If the spell is cast as a class spell and the character is a member of that class, the check Components. Woodcarver’s tools consist of a knife, a gouge, and a small saw. is made with advantage. For example, if the spellcaster Arcana, History. Your expertise lends you additional casts a spell as a cleric, another cleric has advantage on insight when you examine wooden objects, such as figu- rines or arrows. the check to identify the spell. Some spells aren’t asso- Nature. Your knowledge of wooden objects gives you ciated with any class when they’re cast, such as when a some added insight when you examine trees. monster uses its Innate Spellcasting trait. Repair. As part of a short rest, you can repair a single This Intelligence (Arcana) check represents the fact damaged wooden object. that identifying a spell requires a quick mind and famil- iarity withlhe theory and practice of casting. This is Craft Arrows. As part of a short rest, you can craft true even for a character whose spellcasting ability is Wisdom or Charisma. Being able to cast spells doesn’t up to five arrows. As part of a long rest, you can craft by itself make you adept at deducing exactly what others up to twenty. You must have enough wood on hand to are doing when they cast their spells. produce them. INVALID SPELL TARGETS WOODCARVER S TOOLS DC 10 A spell specifies what a caster can target with it: any Activity 15 type of creature, a creature of a certain type (humanoid Craft a small wooden figurine or beast, for instance), an object, an area, the caster, Carve an intricate pattern in wood or something else. But what happens if a spell tar- gets something that isn’t a valid target? For example, CHAPTER 2 | DUNGEON MASTER’S TOOLS

I someone might cast charm person on a creature be- DIAGRAM 2.I: lieved to be a humanoid, not knowing that the target is Vv in fact a vampire. If this issue comes up, handle it using CONE TEMPLATE 86 the following rule. DIAGRAM 2.2: Li: If you cast a spell on someone or something that can’t SPHERE TEMPLATE be affected by the spell, nothing happens to that target, but if you used a spell slot to cast the spell, the slot is DIAGRAM 2.3: SQUARE AREA USING TOKENS still expended. If the spell normally has no effect on a DIAGRAM 2.4: SQUARE target that succeeds on a saving throw, the invalid target AREA WITH TOTAL COVER appears to have succeeded on its saving throw, even though it didn’t attempt one (giving no hint that the crea- % ture is in fact an invalid target). Otherwise, you perceive that the spell did nothing to the target. AREAS OF EFFECT ON A GRID The Dungeon Master's Guide includes the following short rule for using areas of effect on a grid. Choose an intersection of squares as the point of origin of an area of effect, then follow the rules for that kind of area as normal (see the “Areas of Effect” section in chapter 10 of the Player's Handbook ). If an area of ef- fect is circular and covers at least half a square, it affects that square. That rule works, but it can require a fair amount of on-the-spot adjudication. This section offers two alterna- tives for determining the exact location of an area: the template method and the token method. Both of these methods assume you’re using a grid and miniatures of some sort. Because these methods can yield different results for the number of squares in a given area, it’s —not recommended that they be combined at the table choose whichever method you and your players find eas- ier or more intuitive. TEMPLATE METHOD The template method uses two-dimensional shapes that represent different areas of effect. The aim of the method is to accurately portray the length and width of each area on the grid and to leave little doubt about which creatures are affected by it. You’ll need to make these templates or find premade ones. Making a Template. Making a template is simple. Get a piece of paper or card stock, and cut it in the shape of the area of effect you’re using. Every 5 feet of the area equals 1 inch of the template’s size. For example, the 20-foot-radius sphere of the fireball spell, which has a 40-foot diameter, would translate into a circular tem- plate with an 8-inch diameter. Using a Template. To use an area-of-effect template, apply it to the grid. If the terrain is flat, you can lay it on the surface; otherwise, hold the template above the sur- face and take note of which squares it covers or partially covers. If any part of a square is under the template, that square is included in the area of effect. If a creature’s miniature is in an affected square, that creature is in the area. Being adjacent to the edge of the template isn’t enough for a square to be included in the area of effect; the square must be entirely or partly covered by the template. You can also use this method without a grid. If you do so, a creature is included in an area of effect if any part of the miniature’s base is overlapped by the template. CHAPTER 2 | DUNGEON MASTER’S TOOLS

DIAGRAM 2.6: LINES USING TOKENS When you place a template, follow all the rules in the .Using Tokens Every 5-foot square of an area of effect Player's Handbook for placing the associated area of becomes a die or other token that you place on the grid. effect. If an area of effect, such as a cone or a line, origi- Each token goes inside a square, not at an intersection nates from a spellcaster, the template should extend out of lines. If an area’s token is in a square, that square is from the caster and be positioned however the caster included in the area of effect. It’s that simple. likes within the bounds of the rules. Diagrams 2.3 through 2.6 show this method in action, Diagrams 2.1 and 2.2 show the template method .using dice as the tokens. Circles This method depicts everything using in action. squares, and a circular area of effect becomes square in TOKEN METHOD it, whether the area is a sphere, cylinder, or radius. For The token method is meant to make areas of effect tactile and fun. To use this method, grab some dice or instance, the 10-foot radius of flame strike, which has a diameter of 20 feet, is expressed as a square that is 20 other tokens, which you’re going to use to represent your feet on a side, as shown in diagram 2.3. Diagram 2.4 areas of effect. shows that area with total cover inside it. Rather than faithfully representing the shapes of the Cones. A cone is represented by rows of tokens on the different areas of effect, this method gives you a way to grid, extending from the cone’s point of origin. In the create square-edged versions of them on a grid easily, as rows, the squares are adjoining side by side or corner to corner, as shown in diagram 2.5. To determine the num- described in the following subsections. CHAPTER 2 I DUNGEON MASTER’S TOOLS

ber of rows a cone contains, divide its length by 5. For STEP 3: DETERMINE NUMBERS AND example, a 30-foot cone contains six rows. CHALLENGE RATINGS Here’s how to create the rows. Starting with a square The process for building fights that feature only one leg- adjacent to the cone’s point of origin, place one token. The square can be orthogonally or diagonally adjacent endary monster is simple. The Solo Monster Challenge to the point of origin. In every row beyond that one, Rating table shows you which challenge rating (CR) to use for a legendary creature opposing a party of four to place as many tokens as you placed in the previous row, six characters, creating a satisfying but difficult battle. plus one more token. Place this row’s tokens so that For example, for a party of five 9th-level characters, a their squares each share a side with a square in the CR 12 legendary creature makes an optimal encounter. previous row. If the cone is orthogonally adjacent to the For a more perilous battle, match up the characters point of origin, you’ll have one more token to place in the with a legendary creature whose challenge rating is 1 or row; place it on one end or the other of the row you just created (you don’t have to pick the side chosen in dia- 2 higher than optimal. For an easy fight, use a legendary gram 2.5). Keep placing tokens in this way until you’ve creature whose challenge rating is 3 or more lower than created all of the cone’s rows. the challenge rating for an optimal encounter. Lines. A line can extend from its source orthogonally or diagonally, as shown in diagram 2.6. SOLO MONSTER CHALLENGE RATING ENCOUNTER BUILDING Character Party Size 4 Characters Level 6 Characters 5 Characters This section introduces new guidelines on building com- 1st 2 2 1 bat encounters for an adventure. They are an alternative f to the rules in “ Creating Encounters” in chapter 3 of the 2nd 4 3 2 Dungeon Master's Guide. This approach uses the same 3rd 5 4 3 \\ math that underlies the rules presented in that book, but 4th 6 5 4 i\\ 5th 9 8 7 it makes a few adjustments to the way that math is pre- 6th 10 9 8 i 7th 11 10 9 sented to produce a more flexible system. 8th 12 11 10 88 This encounter-building system assumes that, as DM, 9th 13 12 11 you want to have a clear understanding of the threat 10th 14 13 12 11th 15 14 13 posed by a group of monsters. It will be useful to you if 12th 17 16 15 you want to emphasize combat in your adventure, if you 13th 18 17 16 want to ensure that a foe isn’t too deadly for a group of 14th 19 18 17 characters, and if you want to understand the relation- 15th 20 19 18 ship between a character’s level and a monster’s chal- 16th 21 20 19 lenge rating. 17th 22 21 20 18th 22 21 20 Building an encounter using these guidelines follows 19th 23 22 21 a series of steps. 20th 24 23 22 STEP 1: ASSESS THE CHARACTERS If your encounter features multiple monsters, balanc- To build an encounter using this system, first take stock ing it takes a little more work. Refer to the Multiple of the player characters. This system uses the charac- Monsters tables, which are broken up by level ranges, ters’ levels to determine the numbers and challenge ratings of creatures you can pit them against without providing information for how to balance encounters for making a fight too hard or too easy. Even though char- acter level is important, you should also take note of characters of lst-5th level, 6th-10th level, 11th— 15th each character’s hit point maximum and saving throw modifiers, as well as how much damage the mightiest level, and 16th-20th level. characters can deal with a single attack. Character level and challenge rating are good for defining the difficulty First, you need to note the challenge rating for each of an encounter, but they don’t tell the whole story. You’ll make use of these additional character statistics when creature the party will face. Then, to create your encoun- you select monsters for an encounter in step 4. ter, find the level of each character on the appropriate ta- STEP 2: CHOOSE ENCOUNTER SIZE ble. Each table shows what a single character of a given Determine whether you want to create a battle that pits level is equivalent to in terms of challenge rating— a one creature against the characters, or if you want to use multiple monsters. If the fight is against a single value represented by a ratio that compares numbers of opponent, your best candidate for that foe is one of the game’s legendary creatures, which are designed to fill characters to a single monster ranked by challenge rat- ing. The first number in each expression is the number this need. If the battle involves multiple monsters, de- of characters of the given level. The second number tells cide roughly how many creatures you want to use before how many monsters of the listed challenge rating those continuing with step 3. characters are equivalent to. CHAPTER 2 | DUNGEON MASTER’S TOOLS V 7JI Ksai

For example, reading the row for lst-level characters smaller than it is. For example, to make an easy encoun- from the lst-5th Level table, we see that one lst-level ter for a party of five characters, put them up against monsters that would be a tough fight for three charac- character is the equivalent of two CR 1/8 monsters or one CR 1/4 monster. The ratio reverses for higher chal- ters. Likewise, you can treat the party as up to half again lenge ratings, where a single monster is more powerful larger to build a battle that is potentially deadly, though than a single lst-level character. One CR 1/2 creature is still not likely to be an automatic defeat. A party of four equivalent to three lst-level characters, while one CR 1 characters facing an encounter designed for six charac- ters would fall into this category. opponent is equivalent to five. Let’s say you have a party of four 3rd-level characters. WEAK MONSTERS AND HIGH-LEVEL Using the table, you can see that one CR 2 foe is a good CHARACTERS match for the entire party, but that the characters will To save space on the tables and keep them simple, some of the lower challenge ratings are missing from the high likely have a hard time handling a CR 3 creature. er-level tables. For low challenge ratings not appearing on the table, assume a 1:12 ratio, indicating that twelve Using the same guidelines, you can mix and match creatures of those challenge ratings are equivalent to challenge ratings to put together a group of creatures one character of a specific level. to oppose four 3rd-level characters. For example, you STEP 4: SELECT MONSTERS could select one CR 1 creature. That’s worth two 3rd- After using the tables from the previous step to deter- level characters, leaving you with two characters’ worth mine the challenge ratings of the monsters in your en- of monsters to allocate. You could then add two CR 1/4 counter, you’re ready to pick individual monsters. This monsters to account for one other character and one CR process is more of an art than a science. 1/2 monster to account for the final character. In total, In addition to assessing monsters by challenge rating, your encounter has one CR 1, one CR 1/2, and two CR it’s important to look at how certain monsters might 1/4 creatures. For groups in which the characters are of different lev- els, you have two options. You can group all characters of the same level together, match them with monsters, and then combine all the creatures into one encounter. Alternatively, you can determine the group’s average level and treat each character as being of that level for the purpose of selecting appropriate monsters. The above guidelines are designed to create a fight that will challenge a party while still being winnable. If you want to create an easier encounter that will challenge characters but not threaten to defeat them , you can treat the party as if it were roughly one-third

MULTIPLE MONSTERS: IST-STH LEVEL Character Challenge Rating Level 1/8 1/4 1/2 1st 1:2 1:1 2nd 1:3 1:2 3rd 1:5 1:2 4th 1:8 1:4 1:2 5th 1:12 1:8 1:4 MULTIPLE MONSTERS: 6TH-IOTH LEVEL Character Challenge Rating Level 1/8 1/4 1/2 1 6th 1:12 1:9 1:5 1:2 7th 1:12 1:12 1:6 1:3 8th 1:12 1:12 1:7 1:4 1:2 9th 1:12 1:12 1:8 1:4 1:2 10th 1:12 1:12 1:10 1:5 1:2 MULTIPLE MONSTERS: HTH-ISTH LEVEL Character Challenge Rating Level 11th 1 23 12th 1:6 1:3 1:2 13th 1:8 1:3 1:2 14th 1:9 1:4 1:2 1:2 15th 1:10 1:4 1:3 1:2 1:12 1:5 1:3 1:2 MULTIPLE MONSTERS: I6TH-20TH LEVEL Character Challenge Rating Level 234 2:1 2:1 1:1 2:1 16th 1:5 1:3 1:2 1:1 1:1 17th 1:7 1:4 1:3 1:2 18th 1:7 1:5 1:3 1:2 1:1 1:1 1:1 19th 1:8 1:5 1:3 1:2 1:2 1:1 1:1 20th 1:9 1:6 1:4 1:2 1:2 1:1 1:1 stack up against your group. Hit points, attacks, and number of creatures in the encounter, you can come up with different options for building the encounter. saving throws are all useful indicators. Compare the STEP 5: ADD FLAVOR damage a monster can deal to the hit point maximum of The events that unfold during an encounter have to do each character. Be wary of any monster that is capable with a lot more than swinging weapons and casting of dropping a character with a single attack, unless you spells. The most interesting confrontations also take are designing the fight to be especially deadly. into account the personality or behavior of the monsters, In the same way, compare the monsters’ hit points to perhaps determining whether they can be communi- the damage output of the party’s strongest characters, again looking for targets that can be killed with one cated with or whether they’re all acting in concert. Other blow. Having a significant number of foes drop in the possible factors include the nature of the physical envi- first rounds of combat can make an encounter too easy. ronment, such as whether it includes obstacles or other features that might come into play, and the ever-present Likewise, look at whether a monster’s deadliest possibility of something unexpected taking place. abilities call for saving throws that most of the party members are weak with, and compare the characters’ If you already have ideas for how to flesh out your encounter in these ways, go right ahead and finish your offensive abilities to the monsters’ saving throws. creation. Otherwise, take a look at the following sec- If the only creatures you can choose from at the de- sired challenge rating aren’t a good match for the char- tions for some basic advice on adding flavor elements to acters’ statistics, don’t be afraid to go back to step 3. By altering your challenge rating targets and adjusting the the simple mechanics of the fight. CHAPTER 2 | DUNGEON MASTER’S TOOLS

MONSTER PERSONALITY RANDOM EVENTS To address the question of a monster’s personality, you Consider what might happen in an encounter area if the characters were to never enter it. Do the guards serve in can use the tables in chapter 4 of the Dungeon Master’s shifts? What other characters or monsters might visit? Guide, use the Monster Personality table below, or sim- Do creatures gather there to eat or gossip? Are there ply jot down a few notes based on a creature’s Monster Manual description. During the battle, you can use these any natural phenomena such as strong winds, earth ideas to inform how you portray the monsters and their actions. To keep things simple, you can assign the same ——tremors, or rain squalls that sometimes take place personality traits to an entire group of monsters. For ex- in the area? Random events can add a fun element of ample, one bandit gang might be an unruly mob of brag- the unexpected to an encounter. Just when you think garts, while the members of another gang are always on a fight’s outcome is evident, an unforeseen event can edge and ready to flee at the first sign of danger. make things more compelling. MONSTER PERSONALITY A number of the tables in the Dungeon Master’s Guide d8 Personality can suggest random events. The tables used for encoun- 1 Cowardly; looking to surrender ter location, weird locales, and wilderness weather in 2 Greedy; wants treasure chapter 5 of that book are a good starting point for out- 3 Braggart; makes a show of bravery but runs from —door encounters. The tables in appendix A can be useful danger for indoor and outdoor encounters especially the tables 4 Fanatic; ready to die fighting for obstacles, traps, and tricks. Finally, consult the ran- 5 Rabble; poorly trained and easily rattled dom encounter tables in the next section of this book for 6 Brave; stands its ground inspiration. 7 Joker; taunts its enemies QUICK MATCHUPS 8 Bully; refuses to believe it can lose The guidelines above assume that you are concerned MONSTER RELATIONSHIPS about balance in your combat encounters and have Do rivalries, hatreds, or attachments exist among the monsters in an encounter? If so, you can use such re- enough time to prepare them. If you don’t have much lationships to inform the monsters’ behavior during time, or if you want simpler but less precise guidelines, combat. The death of a much-revered leader might the Quick Matchups table below offers an alternative. throw its followers into a frenzy. On the other hand, a monster might decide to flee if its spouse is killed, or a This table gives you a way to match a character of mistreated toady might be eager to surrender and betray its master in return for its life. a certain level with a number of monsters. The table MONSTER RELATIONSHIPS lists the challenge ratings to use for including one, two, 66 Relationship and four monsters per character for each level. For in- 1 Has a rival; wants one random ally to suffer stance, looking at the 3rd-level entry on the table, you 2 Is abused by others; hangs back, betrays at first can see that a CR 1/2 monster is equivalent to one 3rd- opportunity level character, as are two CR 1/4 monsters and four CR 1/8 ones. 3 Is worshiped; allies will die for it QUICK MATCHUPS 4 Is outcast by group; its allies ignore it 5 Is outcast by choice; cares only for itself Character 1 Monster 2 Monsters 4 Monsters Level 6 Is seen as a bully; its allies want to see it defeated 1/8 1/8 1st 1/4 1/4 1/4 TERRAIN AND TRAPS 2nd 1/2 1/4 1/2 3rd 1/2 1/ 2 1/2 A few elements that make a battlefield something other 1/2 than a large area of flat ground can go a long way to- 4th 1 1 ward spicing up an encounter. Consider setting your en- 1 1 counter in an area that would provide challenges even if 5th 2 1 1 2 1 a fight were not taking place there. What potential perils 6th 2 2 2 BVI 2 2 or other features might draw the characters’ attention, 3 2 :i either before or during the fight? Why are monsters lurk- 3 2 7th 3 4 3 ing in this area to begin with— does it offer good hiding 4 3 8th 3 4 3 places, for instance? 4 3 To add details to an encounter area at random, look to 9th 4 5 4 5 4 the tables in appendix A of the Dungeon Master’s Guide 10th 4 6 6 to determine room and area features, potential hazards, nth 4 obstacles, traps, and more. 12th 5 13th 6 14th 6 15th 7 16th 7 17th 8 18th 8 19th 9 20th 10 CHAPTER 2 | DUNGEON MASTER’S TOOLS

RANDOM ENCOUNTERS: dlOO Encounter A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES 18-20 ld3 winged kobolds with ld6 kobolds Chapter 3 of the Dungeon Master's Guide provides guid- 21-25 The partially eaten carcass of a mammoth, from which ld4 weeks of rations can be harvested ance on using random encounters in your game. This 26-29 2d8 hunters (tribal warriors) section builds on that guidance, offering a host of ran- dom encounter tables for you to use when you determine 30-35 1 half-ogre that a random encounter is going to take place. 36-40 Single-file tracks in the snow that stop abruptly Using the monster lists in appendix B of that book as a basis, we’ve built a set of tables for each environment 41-45 ld3 ice mephits category: arctic, coastal, desert, forest, grassland, hill, mountain, swamp, Underdark, underwater, and urban. 46-50 1 brown bear Within each category, separate tables are provided for each of the four tiers of play: levels 1-4, 5-10, 11-16, 51-53 ld6 + lores and 17-20. 54-55 1 polar bear Even though you can use these tables “ out of the box,” 56-57 ld6 scouts the advice in the Dungeon Master's Guide still holds true: tailoring such tables to your game can reinforce 58-60 1 saber-toothed tiger the themes and flavor of your campaign. We encourage 61-65 A frozen pond with a jagged hole in the ice that ap- you to customize this material to make it your own. pears recently made In the tables, a name in bold refers to a stat block in the Monster Manual. 66-68 1 berserker FLIGHT, OR FIGHT, OR ... ? 69-70 1 ogre Each of the results on these tables represents a certain 71-72 1 griffon kind of challenge or potential challenge. 73-75 1 druid 76-80 3d4 refugees (commoners) fleeing from ores If you let the dice have their way and the result is a large number of monsters, the generated encounter 81 ld3 veterans might be too difficult or dangerous for the characters in 82 ld4 orogs their present circumstances. They might want to flee to 83 2 brown bears avoid contact, or not to approach any closer after per- 84 1 ore Eye of Gruumsh with 2d8 ores ceiving the monsters from a distance. Of course, you also have the freedom to adjust the 85 ld3 winter wolves numbers, but it’s important to remember that not every 86-87 ld4 yetis encounter involving a monster needs to result in combat. 88 1 half-ogre An encounter might indeed be the prelude to a battle, 89 ld3 manticores 90 1 bandit captain with 2d6 bandits a parley, or some other interaction. What happens next 91 1 revenant depends on what the characters try, or what you decide 92-93 1 troll is bound to occur. 94-95 1 werebear The tables also include entries for what the Dungeon Master's Guide calls “ encounters of a less monstrous 96-97 1 young remorhaz nature.” Many of these results cry out to be customized 98 1 mammoth or detailed, which offers you an opportunity to connect 99 1 young white dragon them to the story of your campaign. And in so doing, 00 1 frost giant you’ve taken a step toward making your own personal- ARCTIC ENCOUNTERS (LEVELS 5-10) ized encounter table. Now, keep going! dlOO Encounter y 01-05 06-07 2 saber-toothed tigers 08-10 ld4 half-ogres 11-15 16-20 ld3 + 1 brown bears 21-25 ld3 polar bears ARCTIC ENCOUNTERS (LEVELS 1-4) 2d4 berserkers A half-ore druid tending to an injured polar bear. If dlOO Encounter the characters assist the druid, she gives them a vial of antitoxin. 01 1 giant owl 26-30 2d8 scouts ld6 + 3 kobolds 2d4 ice mephits 02-05 ld4 + 3 trappers (commoners) 31-35 2d6 + 1 zombies aboard a galleon trapped in the 1 owl 06-08 2d4 blood hawks 36-40 ice. Searching the ship yields 2d20 days of rations. 09-10 2d6 bandits 11-12 41-45 1 manticore 13-17 46-50 51-53 2d6 + 3 ores ld6 + 2 ogres CHAPTER 2 | DUNGEON MASTER’S TOOLS

dlOO Encounter ARCTIC ENCOUNTERS (LEVELS 17-20) 54-55 2d4 griffons 56-57 ld4 veterans dlOO Encounter 58-60 1 bandit captain with 1 druid, ld3 berserkers, and 01-02 2dl0 revenants 61-65 2dl0 + 5 bandits 03-04 2d8 trolls ld4 hours of extreme cold (see chapter 5 of the 05-06 2dl0 werebears 66-68 Dungeon Master's Guide) 07-08 1 frost giant 69-72 1 young remorhaz 09-10 2d4 young remorhazes 1 ore Eye of Cruumsh with ld6 orogs and 2d8 + 6 11-20 ld4 frost giants 73-75 21-25 A circular patch of black ice on the ground. The air 76-80 ores 81-82 temperature around the patch is warmer than in 83-84 1 revenant the surrounding area, and characters who inspect 85-86 A howl that echoes over the land for ld3 minutes the ice find bits of machinery frozen within. 87-88 ld3 mammoths 26-35 1 ancient white dragon 89-90 1 young white dragon 36-40 An adventurer frozen 6 feet under the ice; 50% 91-92 2d4 winter wolves chance the corpse has a rare magic item of the 93-94 ld6 -h 2 yetis DM’s choice 95-96 ld2 frost giants 41-50 ld3 abominable yetis 97-98 ld3 werebears 51-60 ld4 remorhazes ld4 trolls 61-65 A 500-foot-high wall of ice that is 300 feet thick and 99 1 abominable yeti spread across ld4 miles 00 1 remorhaz 66-75 ld4 rocs 1 roc 76-80 The likeness of a stern woman with long, flowing 2d4 young remorhazes hair, carved into the side of a mountain 81-90 IdlO frost giants with 2d4 polar bears ARCTIC ENCOUNTERS (LEVELS n-16) 91-96 ld3 adult white dragons 97-99 2d4 abominable yetis dlOO Encounter 00 1 ancient white dragon with ld3 young white dragons 01 1 abominable yeti 02-04 ld6 revenants a 05-10 ld4 + 1 werebears 11-20 ld3 young white dragons 21-25 A blizzard that reduces visibility to 5 feet for ld6 hours 26-35 1 roc COASTAL ENCOUNTERS (LEVELS 1-4) 36-40 A herd of 3d20 + 60 caribou (deer) moving through dlOO Encounter 41-50 the snow ld4 mammoths 01 1 pseudodragon 51-60 l d8 + l trolls 61-65 02-05 2d8 crabs A mile-wide frozen lake in which the preserved 66-75 06-10 2d6 fishers (commoners) 76-80 corpses of strange creatures can be seen 2d4 young remorhazes 11 ld3 poisonous snakes 81-90 A crumbling ice castle littered with the frozen bod- 91-96 ies of blue-skinned humanoids 12-13 ld6 guards protecting a stranded noble 97-99 1 adult white dragon ld8 + 1 frost giants 14-15 2d4 scouts M 00 ld4 remorhazes 1 ancient white dragon 16-18 2dl0 merfolk 19-20 ld6 + 2 sahuagin 21-25 ld4 ghouls feeding on corpses aboard the wreck- age of a merchant ship. A search uncovers 2d6 bolts of ruined silk, a 50-foot length of rope, and a barrel of salted herring. 26-27 ld4 winged kobolds with ld6 + 1 kobolds 28-29 2d6 tribal warriors 30-31 3d4 kobolds H ^4U * 4<}(.( ivv><. 32-33 2d4 + 5 blood hawks ul l | 4OVA UKOU /tq- J LU 34-35 ld8 + 1 pteranodons 36-40 A few dozen baby turtles struggling to make their 4IA< coru\\<r °r 41A^4 A0c»r °r way to the sea tUci t 4 41IK - - j>i u(/i<r< l Artui 41-42 ld6 + 2 giant lizards 4l Awq(( \\0 S < $rv< S. ^ 4(«AM A CHAPTER 2 | DUNGEON MASTER'S TOOLS 4Ur< s4i((. -tu 4bovAi^. °£ wv < ^ .ill/V i

dlOO Encounter dl 00 Encounter 43-44 36-40 45-46 ld6 + 4 giant crabs A stoppered bottle containing an illegible note and 47-48 2d4 stirges 41-43 half buried in the sand 49- 53 2d6 + 3 bandits 44-46 3 sea hags 54-55 2d4 sahuagin 47-50 ld8 + l harpies 56-60 ld6 + 2 scouts 51-53 ld4 plesiosauruses 61-65 1 sea hag 54-56 ld4 manticores A momentary formation in the waves that looks 57-60 66-70 like an enormous humanoid face 61-65 2d4 ogres 71-75 1 druid 66-70 1dl0 griffons 76- 80 ld4 harpies 71-75 A battle at sea between two galleons A lone hermit (acolyte) sitting on the beach, con- 81 templating the meaning of the multiverse 76-80 ld4 + 3 merrow 82 ld4 berserkers 81- 82 A pirate crew consisting of 1 bandit captain, 1 83 ld6 giant eagles 83- 84 druid, 2 berserkers, and 2dl2 bandits, all searching 84 2d4 giant toads 85-86 for buried treasure 85 ld4 ogres or ld4 merrow 87- 88 A severed humanoid hand tangled in a net 86 3d6 sahuagin 89-90 1 water elemental 87 91-93 88 ld4 veterans 94-95 1 cyclops 89 ld2 plesiosauruses ld4 banshees (night only) 90 1 bandit captain with 2d6 bandits 96 2d4 veterans 91-92 ld3 manticores 1 young bronze dragon 93-94 1 banshee 97 ld3 cyclopes ld4 + 3 griffons 98 1 young blue dragon 95-96 1 sahuagin priestess with ld3 merrow and 2d6 99 1 sahuagin baron with ld3 sahuagin priestesses 97-98 sahuagin 00 and 2d8 sahuagin 1 sahuagin baron 1 djinni 99 1 water elemental 00 1 cyclops 1 roc 1 young bronze dragon 1 marid 1 storm giant COASTAL ENCOUNTERS (LEVELS n-16) COASTAL ENCOUNTERS (LEVELS 5-10) d100 Encounter 01 dlOO Encounter ld4 banshees (night only) 02- 04 01 2d8 giant wolf spiders 05-08 1 cyclops 02-03 3d6 pteranodons 09-10 ld6 + 2 manticores 11-20 ld8 + 2 veterans 04-05 2d4 scouts 21-25 1 young blue dragon 26-35 A nest of ld6 dragon turtle eggs 06-07 ld6 + 2 sahuagin 36-40 ld4 sahuagin barons 41-50 A trident partially buried in the sand 08 1 sea hag 51-55 1 young bronze dragon 56- 60 09-10 ld4 + 1 giant toads 61-65 1 marid ld6 water elementals .[+r 11-15 3d6 sahuagin 66-70 2d6 ghasts crawling over ld6 wrecked ships and 16-20 2d6 giant eagles 71-75 feeding on the dead 76-80 21-25 A pseudodragon chasing gulls through the air 1 djinni 81-82 ld3 young bronze dragons 26-29 ld2 druids 83-84 A beached whale, dead and bloated. If it takes any 85-86 30-32 2d4 + 1 giant toads damage, it explodes, and each creature within 30 feet of it must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving 33-35 1 commoner singing a dirge (day only) or throw, taking 5d6 bludgeoning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. 1 banshee (night only) 2d4 cyclopes I 1 storm giant - w - : iorJUvs w«r*\\'. ld3 young blue dragons ,-JvV'V/ “tw~ •A • 94 \\CHAPTER 2 | DUNGEON MASTER S T O O L S r

dlOO Encounter D E S E R T E N C O U N T E R S (L E V E L S 1-4) 87-88 89-90 1 adult bronze dragon dlOO Encounter 91-93 1 adult blue dragon 94-97 l d3 rocs 01 3d8 scorpions 98-99 1 dragon turtle 02 2d4 vultures 1 ancient bronze dragon 03 1 abandoned mule 00 1 ancient blue dragon 04 2d6 commoners with 2d4 camels bound for a dis- C O A S T A L E N C O U N T E R S (LEVELS 17-20) tant city dlOO Encounter 05 ld6 flying snakes 06 2d6 hyenas or 2d6 jackals 01-10 1 roc 07 ld6 guards escorting a noble to the edge of the 11-20 1 storm giant desert, all of them astride camels 21-25 An adult bronze dragon fighting an adult blue 08 ld6 cats dragon to the death 09 1 pseudodragon 10 ld4 poisonous snakes 26-40 2d6 cyclopes 41-50 1 adult bronze dragon or 1 adult blue dragon 11-13 2d4 stirges 51-60 ld3 djinn or ld3 marids 61-70 1 dragon turtle 14-15 ld6 + 2 giant wolf spiders 71-75 ld3 rocs 16-17 1 scout 76-80 ld6 + 2 waterspouts that dance on the water before 18-20 2d4 giant poisonous snakes 21-25 Single-file tracks marching deeper into the desert stopping abruptly 26-27 4d4 kobolds 81-90 ld6 young blue dragons 28-29 1 jackalwere 91-96 1 ancient bronze dragon 30-31 3d6 tribal warriors 97-99 1 ancient blue dragon 00 ld3 + 1 storm giants CHAPTER 2 | DUNGEON MASTER’S TOOLS 1

dlOO Encounter dlOO Encounter 18-20 ld8 + 1 giant vultures 32-33 ld6 giant lizards 21-25 34-35 1 swarm of insects 26-28 A stone obelisk partly buried in the sand 36-40 An oasis surrounded by palm trees and containing 29-35 1 ogre with ld3 half-ogres the remnants of an old camp IdlO giant hyenas 41-44 3d6 bandits 36-40 ld6 + 1 empty tents 45-46 ld4 constrictor snakes 41-43 ld6 + 2 thri-kreen 47-48 2d4 winged kobolds 44-46 2d4 yuan-ti purebloods 49-50 1 dust mephit 47-50 ld6 + 3 death dogs 51-52 ld3 + 1 giant toads 51-52 ld4 giant scorpions 53-54 ld4 giant spiders 53 1 fire elemental 54-55 1 hobgoblin captain with 3d4 hobgoblins 55 1 druid 56-57 2d4 hobgoblins 56 ld6 + 2 ogres 58 1 wight 57-58 ld4 lamias 59-60 1 ogre 59-60 1 air elemental 61-65 A brass lamp lying on the ground 61-65 A meteorite resting at the bottom of a glassy crater 66-67 ld4 giant vultures 66 ld4 + l wights 68 1 phase spider 67-68 1 young brass dragon 69 1 giant constrictor snake 69-70 1 bandit captain with ld3 berserkers and 3d6 70-71 1 gnoll pack lord with ld3 giant hyenas bandits i 72 ld6 + 2 gnolls 71-72 1 cyclops 73-74 1 mummy 73 ld4 couatls 74-75 ld4 yuan-ti malisons 75 ld3 half-ogres 76-80 Strong winds that kick up dust and reduce visibility A pile of humanoid bones wrapped in rotting cloth to ld6 feet for ld4 hours 76-80 1 lamia 81-83 1 revenantwith ld3 wights 81-82 1 hobgoblin captain with 2d6 hobgoblins 84-85 ld8 + 1 phase spiders 2d4 death dogs 83 84 85-86 ld4 giant scorpions 86-87 ld6 + 2 weretigers 1 yuan-ti malison with ld4 + 1 yuan-ti purebloods 88-90 2d4 gnoll fangs of Yeenoghu 87 1 bandit captain with 1 druid and 3d6 bandits 1 young blue dragon 91 ld4 cyclopes 88-89 2d4 thri-kreen 92 90 1 air elemental 93 ld3 yuan-ti abominations ld3 couatls 94 ld4 medusas 1 fire elemental 95 1 guardian naga ld4 gnoll fangs of Yeenoghu 96 ld3 young brass dragons 1 revenant 97 1 efreeti ld4 weretigers 98 1 roc 1 cyclops 99 1 gynosphinx 1 young brass dragon 00 1 adult brass dragon 1 medusa DESERT ENCOUNTERS (LEVELS n-16) 1 yuan-ti abomination dlOO Encounter DESERT ENCOUNTERS (LEVELS 5-10) 01 1 young brass dragon dlOO Encounter 02-05 4d6 gnolls 01 06-10 3dl0 giant hyenas 02 ld6 scouts 11-12 l d8 + l lamias 03 2d4 jackalweres 13-14 2d4 gnoll fangs of Yeenoghu 04 2d6 hobgoblins 15-17 ld6 + 2 giant scorpions 05 ld4 + 3 dust mephits 18-20 2d4 phase spiders 06 ld6 swarms of insects 21-25 A desert caravan consisting of ld6 merchants (no- 1 giant constrictor snake bles) with 2d6 guards 07-08 1 lion 26-27 ld6 + 1 couatls 09-10 2d4 gnolls 28-30 ld4 fire elementals 11-12 2d6 giant toads 31-32 1 hobgoblin captain with 3dl0 + 10 hobgoblins 13-17 1 mummy 33-35 2d4 wights CHAPTER 2 | DUNGEON MASTER’S TOOLS ^ >» \"

dlOO Encounter FOREST ENCOUNTERS (LEVELS 1-4) 36-40 ld6 square miles of desert glass 41-42 1 young blue dragon dlOO Encounter 43-45 1d6 + 2 weretigers 46-48 ld4 air elementals 01 1 giant owl 49-50 ld6 + 1 yuan-ti malisons 51-55 ld4 medusas 02 ld4 cats 56-60 ld4 revenants with 3dl2 skeletons 61-65 A plundered pyramid 03 2d4 woodcutters (commoners) 66-70 ld4 young brass dragons 71-75 ld3 yuan-ti abominations 04 1 badger or ld4 poisonous snakes 76-78 ld6 + 2 Cyclopes 79-82 1 adult brass dragon 05 2d8 baboons 83-85 1 purple worm 1d2 young blue dragons 06 ld6 + 3 hyenas 86 1 mummy lord 87-88 ld3 guardian nagas 07 1 owl 1 adult blue dragon 89 ld2 gynosphinxes 08 1 pseudodragon 90 ld3 efreet 91 1 androsphinx 09 1 panther 92-93 ld4 rocs 94 1 adult blue dracolich 10 1 giant poisonous snake 95 1 ancient brass dragon 96-97 1 ancient blue dragon 11 ld6 + 2 boars 98-99 12 ld4 + 1 giant lizards 00 13 1 ape or 1 tiger 14 2d6 tribal warriors with ld6 mastiffs 15 ld6 + 2 giant bats or 3d6 flying snakes 16 1 scout or 2d4 guards with ld8 mastiffs 17 ld8 + 1 winged kobolds 18 1d3 constrictor snakes DESERT ENCOUNTERS (LEVELS 17-20) 19 ldlO + 5 giant rats or 2d6 + 3 giant weasels » 20 dlOO Encounter 21-25 ld4 + 1 needle blights with ld6 + 3 twig blights A lost, weeping child. If the characters take the 01-05 1 adult brass dragon 26 06-10 ld2 yuan-ti abominations with 2dl0 + 5 yuan-ti 27 child home, the parents reward them with ld3 po- tions of healing. malisons and 4d6 + 6 yuan-ti purebloods 11-14 ld6 + 2 medusas ld8 + 1 giant frogs 15-18 ld2 purple worms 19-22 2d4 cyclopes 4d4 kobolds 23-25 An abandoned city made from white marble, empty 28 ld3 black bears during the day. At night, harmless apparitions roam the streets, replaying the final moments of 29 3d6 stirges their lives. 30 1 satyr 26-30 ld3 young blue dragons 31 2d4 kenku 31-35 1 mummy lord 36-40 ld4 hours of extreme heat (see chapter 5 of the 32 ld3 vine blights with 1dl2 awakened shrubs Dungeon Master ’s Guide) 33 ld4 swarms of ravens 41-50 ld3 guardian nagas 51-60 ld4 efreet 34 1 faerie dragon (yellow or younger) 61-63 An old signpost identifying a single destination, 35 ld4 + 2 giant badgers 36- 40 A young woodcutter (scout) racing through the for- called Pazar est to rescue a lost friend 64-72 ld4 rocs 73-80 ld3 gynosphinxes 41 2d4 blink dogs 81-85 1 adult blue dracolich 86-90 1 androsphinx 42 ld8 + 1 sprites 91-96 1 ancient brass dragon 43 ld6 + 2 elk 97-99 1 ancient blue dragon 44 ld4 lizardfolk or 3d6 bandits 00 ld4 adult brass dragons 45 ld4 + 4 wolves 46 2d4 giant wolf spiders 47 1 swarm of insects or 2d8 blood hawks 48 ld6 + 2 pixies 49 1 brown bear 50 ld4 + 3 goblins 51 ld3 dryads 52 1 awakened tree CHAPTER 2 | DUNGEON MASTER’S TOOLS 97

1 lizardfolk shaman with ld3 swarms of poisonous snakes and IdlO + 2 lizardfolk ld4 displacer beasts ld3 green hags 1 hobgoblin captain with 2d6 hobgoblins and ld4 giant boars 1 yuan-ti malison with ld6 + 1 yuan-ti purebloods ld3 weretigers 1 gorgon or 1 unicorn 1 shambling mound 1 yuan-ti abomination

FOREST ENCOUNTERS (LEVELS 5-10) d100 Encounter 82 dlOO Encounter 2d4 displacer beasts 83 ld4 shambling mounds 2d4 vine blights 84 1 hobgoblin captain with 3dl0 hobgoblins and 4dl2 2d6 hobgoblins or 2d6 ores goblins 2d4 apes or 2d4 satyrs 85 1 yuan-ti abomination 86 ld8 + 1 phase spiders 04 ld3 will-o'-wisps 87 ld4 trolls 88 2d4 yuan-ti malisons 05 ld4 swarms of poisonous snakes 89 1 oni 90 ld4 unicorns 06 1 ore Eye of Cruumsh with ld3 orogs and ld8 + 2 91 ld6 + 2 weretigers 92 1 young green dragon 07 ores 93 ld4 gorgons 08 94 ld6 + 2 gnoll fangs ofYeenoghu 09 ld3 constrictor snakes or ld4 tigers 95 10 1 goblin boss with 3d6 goblins 96 1 treant 11-13 1 faerie dragon (any age) 97 14-15 1 brown bear or ld6 + 2 black bears 98 ld4 revenants 16-17 ld4 giant boars 99 1 grick alpha with ld6 + 1 gricks 18 ld8 + 1 giant spiders 00 ld4 giant apes 19 1 lizardfolk shaman with 2d4 lizardfolk 1 guardian naga 20 1 adult gold dragon 21-25 ldlO giant toads ld4 ankhegs ld3 awakened trees (day) or 1 banshee (night) A small shack almost hidden by the deep forest. The interior is empty aside from a large cast-iron oven. 26 1 couatl FOREST ENCOUNTERS (LEVELS n-i6) 27-28 ld4 ogres or ld6 + 2 half-ogres 29-30 1 gnoll pack lord with ld4 + 1 giant hyenas dlOO Encounter 31- 32 01-03 ld6 wererats 04-05 1 werebear 33 ld4 druids performing a ritual for the dead (day 34 ld4 gricks 06-07 only) or ld4 banshees (night only) 35 08-10 ld3 couatls 36-40 ld8 + 1 yuan-ti purebloods 11-15 ld3 gnoll fangs ofYeenoghu with 2d6 + 3 gnolls 16-20 2d4 displacer beasts 41- 42 ld6 pegasi 21-25 43 1d6 + 2 veterans 44 An old stone archway of obvious elven design. Any 26-30 31-35 A pool of clear, still water. Gold coins litter the bot- 45-46 character who passes under it makes Wisdom (Per- 36-40 tom, but they disappear if removed from the pool. 47- 48 49-50 ception) checks with advantage for 1 hour. 41- 45 ld4 + 1 green hags with ld3 owlbears 51- 52 46-50 ld6 + 2 werewolves 53-54 ld6 + 2 dryads 51-52 A small woodland shrine dedicated to a mysterious 55-56 ld4 giant elk 53-54 cult named the Siswa 57-58 ld8 + 1 harpies 55- 56 ld6 + 2 phase spiders 59- 60 1 bandit captain with 1 druid and ld6 + 5 bandits 57-58 2d4 yuan-ti malisons 61-65 2d4 dire wolves 59- 60 ld3 werebears 2d4 bugbears 61- 65 66-67 ld4 revenants 68-69 2d4 centaurs 66- 67 1 young green dragon 70-71 3dl0 blink dogs 68- 69 ld4 trolls 72-73 ld4 owlbears 70-71 ld6 + 2 wereboars 74-75 ld8 + 1 berserkers 72-73 A group of seven people (commoners) wearing ani- 76-80 ld3 green hags 74-75 mal masks and ambling through the woods A clear pool of water with ld6 sleeping animals 76-80 81 lying around its edge 81-82 ld4 gorgons ld4 werewolves 83- 84 ld3 shambling mounds 1 werebear 1 treant ld8 + 1 ettercaps ld4 unicorns 2dl0 elk ld6 + 2 weretigers ld4 veterans Peals of silvery laughter that echo from a distance An old tree with a wizened face carved into the 1 guardian naga trunk 1 young gold dragon ld4 wereboars CHAPTER 2 | DUNGEON MASTER’S TOOLS